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Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin
The name whiskey originated from the Gaelic “uisge beatha,” which loosely translates to “water of life.”
During the 16th century, this dark alcohol was sold in apothecaries to cure congestion and treat pneumonia, but you’ll rarely find it in doctor’s prescriptions nowadays.
With it being the “water of life,” is a glass of whiskey good for you? Keep reading to find out.
Is Taking A Glass Of Whiskey A “Go” Or “No-Go?”
Believe it or not, modern research has found evidence that consuming whiskey (just a glass) may be good for your health, so our ancestors weren’t so far off after all.
Whiskey contains high amounts of antioxidants that can fight off cancer cells and lower the risk of heart disease.
Furthermore, like other alcohols, it contains very few calories and has no carbohydrates or sugar.
However, these health benefits can only be assumed if you drink it in moderate amounts, which is a single serving daily. But how much sugar is in whiskey?
6 Most Common Benefits of Whiskey
1. Aids In Weight Loss
Whiskey is a great low-calorie option if you want to have fun on a diet. Make sure you omit any unnecessary sugary mixers, like soda or fruit juice that can spike up the calorie content of your drink.
Alcohol consumption won’t miraculously help you lose weight and should not be used in place of diet and exercise.
2. Helps Alleviate A Cold
Whiskey won’t necessarily cure a cold, but it can make you feel better in a jiffy. The alcohol can dilate your blood vessels, making your nose feel less clogged.
In fact, during the Alcohol Prohibition Period, doctors prescribed a tablespoon of whiskey to soothe common colds [1]. But what’s the best whiskey for a cold?
3. Helps Improve The Immune System
Modern research revealed that moderate drinkers who consumed the recommended amount of alcohol per day had a strengthened immune system.
Whiskey drinkers contracted the common cold less, eliminated bacteria faster, and had better antibodies overall as opposed to non-drinkers.
4. Lowers Risk Of Dementia & Alzheimer’s
One study found that older adults who drank whiskey every day had a lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s.
This can be attributed to the liquor’s antioxidants, which maintain the brain’s healthy chemical balance.
Moderate alcohol consumption can also increase activity in the GABA neurotransmitter.
5. Fights Cancer
Whiskeys contain high amounts of ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant that keeps cancer-causing cells at bay.
The ellagic acid is produced during the aging period inside the oak barrels, so the older the spirit is, the more antioxidants it has.
6. Reduces Stress
You may have heard yourself saying you “need a drink” after a long work day. Moderate consumption of this liquor can instantly uplift your mood.
Whiskeys are depressants and can slow down the body’s central nervous system. They help in giving instant relief to stressful days and alleviate anxiety.
Also Read:
- What’s the Best Whiskey For No Hangover?
- Does Drinking Whiskey Help A Sore Throat?
- Does Drinking Whiskey Help High Blood Pressure?
Potential Risks
Of course, drinking alcohol is not without risks, especially when excessive/heavy drinking is involved. Drinking too much whiskey can increase your risk of developing health issues, like:
- Heart problems
- Liver damage
- Mental and cognitive health
Whiskey Daily Limit
Men
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men should not consume more than one to two shots daily. This is to ensure that you get the nutritional value of drinking whiskeys and not the health risks of alcohol consumption.
Women
Women who drink whiskey should not exceed the recommended serving of one shot as a daily drink, and similarly, one to six drinks weekly.
FAQs
When is the best time to drink whiskey?
The best time to drink whiskey is after a meal. Its alcohol content stimulates the production of pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down proteins in food. It also has calming properties that can help you fall asleep later.
How much whiskey do you pour in a glass?
The recommended serving size of whiskey in a glass is 30ml or 1 ounce. If you are thinking of drinking whiskey for its health benefits, it’s highly recommended to stick to one serving of alcohol daily.
Final Thoughts
Drinking whiskey every day is good for you, but be careful because too much alcohol can cause more damage in the long run.
Drinking one whiskey every day has health benefits, such as strengthening your body’s ability to ward off cancer risk, improving heart health, and maintaining cognitive health.
Moreover, moderate drinking of this alcohol can calm many of us after a hard day’s work and even increase blood levels of good cholesterol and fights bad cholesterol.
However, these benefits can only be assumed with moderate drinking, which is a one-ounce shot daily and a maximum of six servings per week.
Reference:
- https://www.britannica.com/event/Prohibition-United-States-history-1920-1933
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
