Most have heard about the health benefits of wine — and even beer. But those who prefer their drinks Sex and the City-style (Cosmos, anyone?) or à la Don Draper will be happy to hear that moderate consumption of any alcohol may have just as many health benefits as a good old vino or brew.
Blame It on the A-a-alcohol — The Need-to-Know
When wine was the only drink in the healthy box, researchers thought
it was the resveratrol responsible for those heart-healthy benefits —
until they found beer provides similar benefits. Turns out it's the alcohol in both drinks that provides much of the healthy twist! The benefits
initially seemed more pronounced in wine-drinkers, but once lifestyle
differences were taken into account, researchers found that all
alcoholic beverages provided similar protection against heart disease. Excellent news for the liquor-loving Greatists out there!
But it's not just about protecting that ticker. Alcohol can also help
increase HDL cholesterol (that's the good kind) and decrease
artery-clogging LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) — a win-win if we ever
saw one. Plus, some research suggests drinking moderate amounts
of alcohol (one drink a day for women, two for men) can even protect
against brain disease. People may joke that alcohol makes them feel
invincible, but it does have a scientific "superpower" as well,
helping the neurons in the brain resist wear and tear that can lead to
Alzheimer's and dementia way down the road. Who knew alcohol could help us forget so much in the moment and help preserve memories for years to come?
But don't set down the stemware just yet. While the alcohol
in wine, beer, and liquor all provide similar benefits, wine does have a
few additional plusses other types of alcohol don't. We may not be declaring wine a superfood
just yet, but it does contain antioxidants like phytochemicals and
resveratrol, which can increase energy levels and combat signs of aging. (So that's
why we see so many 60 year olds dancing on cruise ship bars!) The
resveratrol in wine has even been shown to be an anti-inflammatory that
protects against arthritis!
Bottoms Up! — Your Action Plan
To get maximum benefits from that cocktail (or two…), consider pairing alcohol with healthier mixers and staying away from super-sweet options and smoothie-like concoctions. While juice cocktails
can rack up calories and sugar, choosing 100 percent fruit juice (with
no added sweeteners) can help reach that daily dose fruits and veggies.
If drinking with access to a full fridge, try a "superfood cocktail" of
light cranberry and vodka; gin and seltzer with muddled blueberries; or the ultimate superfood frozen drink — Greek yogurt blended with almond milk, a frozen banana, and rum, with a dash of cinnamon. Looking to take healthy drinking to the next level? Try organic alcohol.
Pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals from traditional
processing can actually increase the risk of cancer or other health
risks, partially negating any benefits from the alcohol.
Of course, while drinking to your health, be sure to avoid some common drinking pitfalls, like drinking too much and finding yourself on top of the bar shaking it to Call Me Maybe.
We may joke about blackouts, but the truth is that any memory loss due
to alcohol is no bueno. Drinking can be a health hazard in the form of
cirrhosis, some forms of cancer, and basic injuries (hmm, wonder how
those happened). So remember the golden rule: one drink per day for
women, two for men.
