Women are more vulnerable than men to the effects of alcohol, both the good and the bad, according to the Harvard Health Letter.

The publication said that if a man and a woman drink equal glasses of wine, for example, the woman will have a higher blood-alcohol level, and it will stay elevated for a longer time.

That means her body is exposed to alcohol longer.

Excessive alcohol can cause problems for the liver and the newsletter said it has also been associated with heart troubles in women. Some studies have suggested it causes harm to breast tissue, as well.

On the other hand, modern guidelines often say that some alcohol -- usually cited as a drink a day for women -- can have benefits for the heart and possibly lower the risk of some cancers and diabetes.

The newsletter also said that women who drink should consider taking a multivitamin because alcohol can block the absorption of folic acid.