If you're looking for a new excuse to toast your fabulous self, we've got a few that are bound to make you happy -- and healthy. Stick to a drink a day or less to reap the most benefits. Salute!

Fight heart disease A daily glass of wine may increase the blood's level of inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids, according to a recent report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Translation? Healthier arteries for you.

Boost your bones Have a drink now, lower your risk of hip fracture later by as much as 20 percent. Scientists suspect the effect is due to the fact that alcohol increases estrogen and other hormones important to strong bones.

Protect your liver People who drink one glass of wine regularly have half the risk of fatty liver disease compared to teetotalers, say researchers from the University of California, San Diego. Only vino appears to work, though: Those who had equal amounts of beer or liquor actually increased their odds of the disease more than four times.

Ditch diabetes Downing the cheer of your choice can improve your body's sensitivity to insulin, according to a new study in Diabetologia. The more effectively your body responds to this hormone, the lower your odds of developing Type 2 diabetes.

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