15 Surprising Health Benefits Of Drinking Alcohol in Moderation

“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.” ― Benjamin Franklin

Do you feel like everyone’s telling you to let go of your favorite dose of alcohol at the end of the long, tiring and busy day? Fear not! Now you don’t have to. Moreover, recent studies have found that consuming alcohol in moderation benefit you with good health. Remember, moderation is the key.

Drinking in moderation provides you with health benefits

However, if you are the type who enjoys getting smashed at the weekends with drinks over drinks; you are only inviting negative health effects such as liver damage, weight gain, high blood pressure, and more. Drinking hard can also affect your brain severely in the long run, stopping it from producing new brain cells.

Now what is moderation? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans clearly states that women can drink up to one drink per day while men can have two to call it moderation. Note that this is the count per day, not an average per several days. So, take out a can of beer or glass of wine, whatever you prefer and drink away while going through these 15 health benefits of drinking that just might surprise you.

1. Lowers risk of cardiovascular diseases

Moderate amount of alcohol was found to raise high-density lipoprotein or HDL or good cholesterol in the body. This was revealed in research done by The School of Public Health at Harvard University. This means, you can reduce the risk of heart diseases while having a sip at your favorite drink every day.

2. Improves libido

A research put forward in Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2009 says that the erectile dysfunction in men was decreased by 25-30% among the moderate alcohol drinkers. Although, further research is yet to be done, it is now a known fact that alcohol drinkers can improve their libido if they stick to moderation.

3. Decreases chances of dementia

Alcohol drinkers were found to have lowered risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia by 23% as reported in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, a medical journal. Also, the moderate alcohol consumption was found to be effective in making brain cells more active and fit. Increased fitness leads to a decrease in chances of developing dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Lowers chance of diabetes

Contrary to previous beliefs, researches have shown that there is a reduced chance of developing type 2 diabetes in drinkers. An observational study done in VU University, Netherlands has shown 30% reduced chance of developing diabetes for moderate alcohol users.

5. Reduces risk of gallstones

Moderate alcohol users can have a reduced risk of gallstones by one-third as long as it is done in moderation. This research done in University of Anglia can be taken as a yes for your daily dose of alcohol consumption.

6. Freshens your breath

If you are on a date, you do not need to worry about bad breath because that shot of vodka on your table can work wonders. The high alcohol content can help kill the bad odor bacteria leaving your mouth odorless and fresh. However, be sure to drink water afterwards as the high sugar content in the alcohol can eat the healthy enamel of your teeth.

7. Enhances creativity

The moderate alcohol consumption can be helpful to get your brainy tricks and creativity roll. The ethanol present in alcohol helps the wear and tear of the neuron making your brain cells more healthy and active. There you go, a great way to keep your brains rolling.

8. Combats the signs of aging

Alcohol often includes special antioxidants including phytochemicals and resveratol, mostly found in wine (Yay!). These antioxidants fight against different signs of aging making us look younger for longer.

9. Soothes sore throat

Had such a great time at concert last night that your throat hurts? Well, not anymore, cause alcohol is in for rescue. Add two spoons of hot water and some whiskey to gargle away the soreness and alcohol will help you by numbing the pain. However, be sure to spit it out just like while gargling so that you don’t get smashed by accident.

10. Beer belly is not a problem anymore

Making friends with the concept of moderate drinking can take you a long way in losing weight. While beers have a notoriety of giving you beer belly for higher consumption, if you take control over your beers and drink only up to two per day, you can easily get past beer belly and lose some pounds along the way.

11. Common cold won’t be common

Although studies don’t say that drinking while being sick can help you prevent cold, but it was found in a research done in Carnegie Mellon University that moderate drinkers have a reduced susceptibility to common cold. Drink away my friend!

12. Lengthens the span of life

The Catholic University of Campobasso researched to find that moderate alcohol consumption can actually add a few years to your life. There is 18% decreased risk of death for moderate drinkers in comparison to heavy drinkers or non-drinkers.

13. Reduced stress and anxiety

Moderate alcohol consumers can enjoy the reduced social anxiety and stress in a good way. This is why consuming alcohol only in social events or parties make you feel like you fit in. However, drinking only at the parties and not moderating drinks can affect you physically and mentally in the long run. So, keep low and steady with only one or two drinks every day.

14. Treats malaria infection

The tonic in gin and tonics contains quinine, which is an alkaloid with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Although gin and tonic isn’t a cure in and of itself, this can help you before you can actually find proper medication to soothe you.

15. Makes people creative

You may be familiar with this situation. People who have had a drink or two can perform better in any problem solving situation as it gets your brainy fluid flowing. Certainly, if the drink is in anyway farther than the moderate amount you will have an adverse effect, so measure your drink every day before your creative session at home.

Now, if you are the legal age for drinking and have a thing for alcohol, go on. Once again, moderation is the key.

Featured photo credit: Christian via pixabay.com

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