Sorry grains! The grapes have it! Research from the School of Medicine shows that ONE glass of wine a day may not only be safe for the liver, but actually decrease the prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
 NAFLD is the most common liver disease in the United States, affecting over 40 million adults. The major risk factors are similar to those for cardiovascular disease—obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure. This study, led by Jeffrey Schwimmer, M.D., associate professor of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, found that individuals who reported drinking up to one glass of wine per day, as compared to no alcohol consumption, had half the risk of NAFLD.
For all those whose palette prefers something a little stronger or bubblier, the news is not so tasty. Compared with wine drinkers, individuals who reported modest consumption of beer or liquor had over four times the odds of having NAFLD. And researchers emphasize that the study results do not support consuming any alcoholic beverage if you are at risk for alcohol abuse. 
Contributors to Making Waves: Kim Edwards, Tiffany Fox, Raymond Hardie, Pat JaCoby, Annie Reisewitz
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