Women: light alcohol consumption might result in less weight gain with age

A study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine evaluated 19,220 US women aged 38.9 years or older over a period of almost 13 years to determine the effect of light alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks per day) on weight gain over the study period. Although it appears that they expected to obtain a different result, here is their conclusion:

"Compared with nondrinkers, initially normal-weight women who consumed a light to moderate amount of alcohol gained less weight and had a lower risk of becoming overweight and/or obese during 12.9 years of follow-up."

Two caveats: heavier drinking blows the program and backfires. Some people should not drink at all.