The large number of vehicular deaths and injuries associated with alcohol consumption, and other social costs, require that any health benefits associated with moderate alcohol intake be offered with great circumspect. Nevertheless, the 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans acknowledge some health benefits of moderate alcohol intake. Men and women who drink alcohol are at less risk of cardiovascular disease than nondrinkers. The decreased risk may be due partially to alcohol-induced increases in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (the so called "good cholesterol"). Running also elevates HDL-cholesterol. Although some researchers have argued that consuming three beers daily is equivalent to jogging (with respect to raising HDL-cholesterol), running does not increase plasma triglyceride levels or blood pressure (two negative effects of alcohol). We have compared self-reported intakes of alcohol to physician-supplied medical data in 7,252 male and 2,149 female runners. Ounces of alcohol consumed per week were calculated on the basis of 0.48 oz. per 12-oz. bottle of beer, 0.48 oz. per 4-oz. glass of wine, and 0.60 oz. per drink of hard liquor. Ounces of alcohol consumed per week were calculated on the basis of 0.48 oz. per 12-oz. bottle of beer, 0.48 oz. per 4-oz. glass of wine, and 0.60 oz. per drink of hard liquor. On average, men's HDL-cholesterol increased 0.88 mg/dL per oz. of alcohol consumed per week, and women's HDL-cholesterol appeared to increase 1.16 mg/dL per weekly oz. Plasma HDL- cholesterol increased 0.8 mg/dL for each 10 miles per week run. There was no interaction between alcohol and running (i.e., their effects were independent of one another).