The obesity epidemic is a major health problem in the United States. Alcohol consumption is a source of energy intake that may contribute to body weight gain and development of obesity. However, previous studies of this relationship have been limited, with inconsistent results.

To find some answers, Archives of Internal Medicine conducted a study on normal weight, healthy, middle-age women.  They found that when compared with nondrinkers, initially normal-weight women who consumed a light to moderate amount of alcohol gained less weight and had a lower risk of becoming overweight and/or obese during 12.9 years of follow-up.

For all the rest of the science-y explanations and research, read the rest of the study here.