Drinking is good for you, as long as it is done in moderation, according to the latest Italian research.
The study, which pored over the results of 35 previous surveys, found that wine is the best tipple if you want to avoid heart problems and other fatal diseases.
Beer comes a close second.
"Two units of wine a day, or one unit if you are a woman, cut the risk of cardiovascular problems by 25%," said lead researcher Giovanni de Gaetano, whose findings have been published in the prestigious US journal Archives of Internal Medicine.
A unit of wine is a normal-sized glass - about 150 millilitres.
"Beer is not bad either, reducing risks of heart problems by about 18%, according to the collated results of the surveys," de Gaetano said.
He explained that men could have double the daily dose of plonk because their bodies are better at assimilating alcohol.
The recommended daily dose of beer was 200 millilitres, or just under a pint.
It was important to stagger one's intake and stick to the recommended daily intake rather than gulping down one's weekly amount all in one go.
"That can have the opposite effect," de Gaetano said.
Whisky, brandy, cognac, gin and other spirits are to be avoided if possible.
"Very small amounts of them, about 10-20 millilitres, can push you close to the risk threshold".
