Heart is the most vital organ of the human body. Heart is not for loving others only but to keep you lovable in other's eyes. Therefore, one should be aware of all the facts associated with well functioning of the heart. As for good maintenance of the human body, one should consider about the balanced diet for heart. main considerations are consumption of good fats and maintaining a proper balance of essential acids like omega 3 and omega 6 in your diet. A knowledge of heart associated risk factors is also must for a healthy heart.

Drinking has become a part and parcel of modern life style.

A study conducted by Danish researchers over a period of 20 (1981-2001) years, involving 1200 men and women aged 20 years or older, revealed that non-drinkers had a thirty percent higher risk of heart disease compared to moderate drinkers, irrespective of physical activities.

Study further showed that people who neither drink nor exercise have a 30 to 49 per cent higher risk of heart disease than people who do one or both of the activities. Other studies conducted in past have shown that light to moderate drinking – up to two drinks a day on a regular basis is associated with a slower risk of heart disease, and some have found this leads to a lower risk of some cancer types.

Alcohalism is considered a social evil by many in the society. I agree with their viewpoint but disagree with the word evil. It is evil if you cross the limits, consume cheap adultrated country liqour and do not take a balance diet. But if you follow some rules and don't cross the limits (not more than 1-2 pegs/day) its a booster. If you have never sipped wine then you have missed something great. However, keep in mind that laws of several countries don't allow drinking until and unless you attain a certain age. In Delhi, drinking age was 21 years but recently government has proposed it to bring down to 18 years. Likewise other countries and states have their own rules. The darker side of these rules is keeping the children in dark about the good and bad effects of drinking. It is always not wise to portrait everything with black about drinking.

Excess of everything is bad so, please, be in limits and follow simple rules then you may enjoy the wine and also you may enjoy your family life. Few guidelines are given below.

1. Take your friends, family or specially your wife or your intimate one in confidence

2. Convince them that you always drink for enjoyment and not for show off

3. Follow guideline (2) strictly and drink always to celebrate your success

4. Avoid drinking when you are tensed and remember drinking is not a remedy for getting away from tension. It makes you more tense and you may take a undesired step in an agressive mood and you will repent your whole life. So , never drink when you are depressed.

5. Consume limited quantities so you have control over yourself. If you drink more then needed, it will intoxicate your nervous sytem and you have risks of nervous break-down.

6. Never use cheap and adultrated country liquor, it may be extremely dangerous to your life.

7. Never drink if you can not afford high quality wine (Beer, whisky, scotch etc)

8. Don't be a daily consumer, Have a drink only in weekends or in parties

9. Never take more than 2 pegs (approx. 150 ml) and avoid consuming wine without soda or water. Mixing ice-cubes in wine with desired quantity of water is always better than neat wine or soda mixed wine.

10. Don't create nuisance

11. Be romantic, when you take a drink,

12 Have a balanced and nutritious diet before or after drinks (depends on your existing customs) and avoid egg or egg made products with wine as it develops acidity in your stomach

If you follow these rules and observe self discipline I think you are not doing any wrong.

A word of caution: Its always bad to be slave of anyone even if it is wine. Addiction is bad and may be dangerous for you and your loved ones.

A word of information: If you never sipped 150 ml wine in your life you

are missing something in your life God or man has created. All the best.

Drinking and balanced nutrition shoulfd always go hand in hand. Fats are also essential to be consumed for keeping your heart healthy. Some fats are good and some are bad for the heart. You may have your cholestrol level within the limits but there may be an imbalance of good and bad cholestrol. To keep a balance of good and bad cholestrol, you need to be choosy for the fat consumption.

Balanced diet must have essential fatty acids Omega 6:Omega 3 in a ratio of 4:1.

Sources of Omega 6 are cereals, grains, vegetables, dals (legumes). Fish, Walnuts, SDoybeans, Almonds, leafy vegetables and Alsi are good sources of Omega 3.

Balanced diet :

• Consume 2 tablespoonful of flaxseed (Linseed) powder by spreading it on salads
• Reduce intake of Sunflower oil, margarine, corn oil and processed food (these are rich in Omega 6)
• Consume grilled or steamed fish (cold water fish) 2-3 times in a week
• Avoid consumption of high fat dairy products, red meat and fried foods
• Oils from Olive, mustard and canola shoukld be used as cooking media