Around 58% of Americans drink alcohol at least occasionally, which is a new low over the past 30 years.

A lot of that decline is attributed to increasing information about how harmful excess drinking can be to your health, even if you don't contend with abuse. (It can harm your heart, liver, brain, and skin, as well as your immune system, oral health, and digestion.)

Nevertheless, there's still a lot of confusion about what's truly risky and what's not, and you may wonder if there are instances when drinking could even be good for you.

Now a study presented at the American College of Cardiology 75th Annual Scientific Session offers some interesting answers to those questions.

Over the course of around 13 years, if you're a heavy drinker of wine, cider, or spirits (five standard servings a day), you increase your risk for death from any cause by 24%, from cancer by 36%, and from heart disease by 14%. And even a low intake of spirits, beer, or cider ups the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 9%.

In contrast, drinking low or moderate amounts of wine actually lowers the risk of death significantly. Moderate wine drinkers reduce their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 21%.

With that in mind, I think is that with your doctor's permission it’s okay enjoy an occasional glass of wine with friends.

After all, social bonding is key to easing stress, and sharing a glass of wine can spur that benefit.