A Swedish study of more than 10,000 people from 1998 to 2010 has found that those who drink up to 14 units of alcohol per week were less likely to suffer from depression compared to non-drinkers.
This equates to 10 pints of beer or just under 10 glasses of wine spread over a week.
The study also found there was no difference in the risk of depression between light and moderate drinkers.
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However, it's important to pace yourself - binge drinkers who downed excessive alcohol in shorter periods were 80 per cent more likely to suffer depression.
Researchers also found there were no substantial differences in the association between alcohol consumption or hazardous drinking, and the risk of depression between men and women.
Socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors, lifestyle factors, previous alcohol consumption and previous depressive symptoms also didn't sway the findings.
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The study states that the lower depression risk among light drinkers compared to non-drinkers may be explained by social behaviour, as non-drinkers may refrain from attending social gatherings, potentially as a result of social anxiety.
Therefore, fewer social interactions may worsen depressive symptoms.
This article originally appeared on 7News.
