New research from the University College in London, England, used data from an 11-year study that examined whether alcohol consumption was linked to an increased risk of heart disease and overall death rates.

The University College London researchers zeroed in on the 3,374 women included in the study. They found that women who consumed alcohol two or more times a day had death rates seven times higher than women who drank one or two drinks a week.

Risk also was elevated for male binge drinkers, but not to such a great degree.

Women who didn't consume alcohol had an 80 percent higher risk of heart disease compared with women who had one or two drinks a week. However, researchers said nondrinkers should not start drinking as a result of the finding.

"Small and often is probably the best method for drinking, but we certainly wouldn't endorse people who don't drink to go out and start as a result of this and other studies," said Dr Annie Britton, co-author of the research. "The best advice is not to drink more than the government's guidelines of around 21 units for women."

The study's findings are published in the journal Addiction.

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