Ten hidden health benefits that make drinking whiskey a good habit to have

1. STAY SLIM

Compared against beer, wine and other spirits, whiskey has a very low calorie count. It also contains practically no sugar. Of course that all changes once you start adding sour mix or coke, so stick with your whiskey neat and avoid putting on unnecessary weight. Whiskey also reduces the appetite. One drink towards the end of a meal ensures that you are not going to overeat your way out of that slim body.

2. GIVE YOUR HEART A BOOST

Wine, dark beer and whiskey all contain elements that increase the health of your heart. Whiskey can reduce the risk of blood clots, decreasing the chances of suffering from a heart attack or stroke. There are also antioxidants found in whiskey that prevent cholesterol from building up in the arteries, and promote the health of good cholesterol that your heart craves.

Small amounts of whiskey will elevate the levels of HDL in the bloodstream, which is associated with protection against developing heart disease. If your family health history includes close relatives who have suffered from heart attacks or strokes, a daily dose of whiskey will help you to avoid that same fate.

3. FIGHT CANCEROUS CELLS

One antioxidant in particular – ellagic acid – is found in whiskey. Ellagic acid inhibits your own DNA from coming into contact with any other cancer causing compounds you may ingest (ahem cigar smokers). This reduces the odds of carcinogens forming inside of the body. Whiskey has also been found to help protect the body as it is subjected to chemotherapy, and reduce oxidation.

4. PROLONG THE ONSET OF DEMENTIA

A 2003 study of the effects of whiskey found that it can help reduce the risk of developing dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease. That happy feeling the drink brings on initially is having a positive lasting effect on the health of your brain.

5. PERFORM BETTER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

A shot of whiskey increases the blood flow to ALL of the organs, helping men who sometimes suffer from erectile dysfunction. Excessive drinking will have the opposite effect, but there is nothing wrong with one drink during a date to ensure that your libido is intact after dessert.

6. PREVENT STROKES

Whiskey works at preventing strokes in a number of ways. First, it is stopping the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. At the same it is helping to rid the body of cholesterol that is already there. Most importantly, whiskey helps the walls of the arteries relax, allowing the blood to flow freely throughout your body.

7. EASE STRESS AND ANXIETY

A shot of whiskey after a hard day helps to calm your nerves, thus relaxing your body. Stress and anxiety can lead to any number of physical health problems, a series of events that can be avoided with the occasional whiskey cocktail. With increased circulation also comes oxygenated blood to all of the organs, helping you to regain control and calm down.

8. INCREASE SHORT TERM MEMORY RETENTION

The mind will stay active when infused with a few glasses of whiskey each week. The same antioxidants that work at preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s later are aiding your memory now. Too much whiskey, and you may not remember what you did last night. But in moderation, whiskey proves to be a great tool for keeping the brain working the way it should.

9. HAVE A HEALTHIER DIGESTION SYSTEM

Historically, whiskey is consumed after a meal to help the food pass calmly through the digestive system. The influx of fresh blood it brings to the stomach and other organs helps the body to relax and get to work on digesting your meal. The risk of indigestion is avoided, allowing you to enjoy the rest of your evening in peace.

10. AVOID CARBOHYDRATES

Whiskey is the drink of choice for diabetics, thanks to its complete absence of carbohydrates. This means that when drunk straight, whiskey will have no effect on blood sugar levels. Those trying out the latest no-carb diet trends to lose weight will also like this added benefit that whiskey has.

ALL OF THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF WHISKEY EQUAL A LONGER LIFESPAN

When looked at as a group, the 10 health benefits that are packed inside a bottle of whiskey can actually increase your lifespan by reducing your risk of developing disease. The healthy antioxidants contained in whiskey are protecting your body, and preventing the breakdown of the important cells running it.

WHEN DOES DRINKING WHISKEY BECOME TOO MUCH FOR THE BODY?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that “moderate alcohol consumption is defined as having up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. This definition is referring to the amount consumed on any single day and is not intended as an average over several days.”

In other words, one or two fingers of whiskey a day may improve your health, but anything more than that and the risks begin to outweigh the benefits. Also take into consideration what you are mixing with your whiskey. A splash of water will not have any affect, but adding half a glass of diet coke will. In order to justify a daily glass of whiskey by its health benefits, you need to make sure that you are not inadvertently taking away from them by the way you take your cocktail.

Drinking whiskey responsibly, and with moderation, can help you to live a longer and healthier life. Grow a taste for the spirit without any squirts or splashes, and you will get the full health benefits that whiskey has to offer.