Mmmmmm Beer!!!
Don't you love having a icy cold beer on a Saturday afternoon after mowing the lawns, or may be a nice Pinot Gris whilst 
relaxing on a deck chair.
Great news!!! ALCOHOL does not make you fat!!!
Now that I have you attention, read on and see why.
Unlike fat, carbohydrates and protein, your body has no place to store alcohol. Your body despises it and does its best to get rid of it. That protruding lump out the front of many a fine kiwi male isn't a "beer belly". If you put a tap in their belly buttons, beer won't pour out.
Alcohol is a toxin. Your body goes into overdrive trying to get rid of it and unfortunately forgets about everything else that you are putting into your head. If you eat foods with fat in it whilst drinking alcohol, the body will burn the alcohol and store the fat. Those afternoon sessions with the lads down at the local taking full advantage of the free salted peanuts, not a good idea. That quiet get together with the girls sipping away on a chardonnay whilst sampling some of the platters being handed around, think again next time.
Don't get too upset, alcohol has also shown to provide health benefits. People who drink "small" amounts regularly seem to live longer. Come to think of it some people who drink heavily, regularly can live longer too (maybe its the pickling/preserving effect). Alcohol is also a relaxant, so less stress. Wine is full of antioxidants which means it can help to protect you from coronary heart disease.
Some people say that it makes "ugly" people look quite "beautiful" after a while!!!
All alcohol (in moderation) including wine, beer and spirits will have a healthy effect on your cholesterol levels. They lower the numbers of Low Density Lipoproteins (the bad cholesterols) and increase your High Densiy Lipoproteins (the good cholesterol)
Now here comes the really important part. Alcohol needs to be consumed in moderation and if you don't drink now, there's no need to start.
For health the ladies should have no more than one glass a day while gentlemen we can have no more than two glasses a day. I can hear it already, "how about if I save my two glasses a day and have 14 glasses on Friday night!!! Sorry guys. Not only can alcohol be harmful to your health in large amounts... it can make everyone around you look "beautiful" and you could get into trouble.