10 Surprising Health Benefits Of Whiskey

Whether it’s Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, or Fireball, everybody is bound to have one kind of whiskey they like more than they admit. In fact, with the demand for whiskey far outpacing its supply in recent years, it’s becoming more and more common to see people enjoying a glass of their favorite brand while out at bars or after a long day at work.

There are always the critics, of course: People who claim that whiskey is an old man’s drink and continually insist that it “tastes terrible.” But what if I told you that you don’t have to feel bad about enjoying that double shot, because you can tell those naysayers that whiskey good for your health? Well, according to sites like Organic Facts and Food to Fitness, you can do just that!  It turns out that drinking a little bit of whiskey (in moderation, of course) can indeed benefit your health, and here’s how!

1. It helps you avoid weight gain

Compared to a lot of mixed drinks and beers out there, whiskey is a low-calorie, low-sugar alcohol, so you can enjoy it without having to later worry about running off that dreaded beer gut.

2. It promotes heart health

Along with dark beers and wine, whiskey is one of the only other drinks that can claim the benefit of being heart healthy. The antioxidants that are in whiskey can help reduce your risk of a heart attack by lowering bad cholesterol, and even boosting your good cholesterol.

3. It helps fight cancer

Whiskey is said to be rich in antioxidants, particularly one called ellagic acid. This chemical is known to help prevent your body’s DNA from coming into contact with carcinogens. It’s also known to help protect your body from the effects of chemotherapy.

4. It improves your brain health

Studies have shown that drinking a small to moderate amount of whiskey may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia (though heavy drinking may increase the risk, so if you plan on testing this method on yourself, make sure you don’t over-do it!).

5. It reduces your risk of stroke

Because whiskey prevents cholesterol build up and also helps to reduce your bad cholesterol, it lowers your risk of stroke as well. It also helps relax the walls of the arteries and promotes blood flow. Now what’s not to love about that?

6. It helps reduce stress

Besides it’s negative impact on your mental health, stress will run your body ragged and is linked to numerous health risks. As many fans of whiskey are sure to testify, a stiff drink may be just what you need to calm your nerves and relieve that stress. And because it helps you with circulation, whiskey can help you feel like a new person after a rough day.

7. It boosts your memory

The same health benefits that help with the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease also boost your memory. Whiskey improves your circulation, making sure your brain gets plenty of blood and stays in tip-top shape!

8. It helps with digestion

Did you know whiskey has long been used as a digestion aid? It can help curb your appetite after a meal, preventing you from overeating and helping you avoid stomach aches or indigestion.

9. It lengthens your lifespan

Because whiskey is chock-full of antioxidants and nutrients, it can help your immune system and prevent your body from contracting diseases. It can also help prevent the slow breakdown of important cells in your body, thus lengthening your lifespan!

10. It’s safe for diabetics

Since whiskey is a low-sugar and low-carb alcohol, it’s the perfect drink if you suffer from diabetes. You can enjoy a good drink and not have to worry about what it may do to your blood sugar. And that is something that we can all drink to!