The holiday season is a time to celebrate and enjoy the company of friends and family at social gatherings. Alcoholic beverages are common at holiday parties and while they may be tasty, alcohol isn’t the friendliest liquid for health.
Enjoying the right kind of alcohol in moderation can have some positive health benefits. These are the three healthiest alcohols you should be drinking to stay in the holiday spirit and avoid packing on extra holiday weight.
Dry Wines
Wines originate from the fruit and during the fermentation process, much of the sugar is converted to alcohol. Wine has far less sugar than beer or any flavored ready-made bottled alcoholic drinks. Red wine has antioxidant resveratrol, which is associated with improved heart health.
Keep in mind, one would need to consume a significant amount of red wine to get the full benefits of the antioxidants. The bulk of the calories in wine come from sugar, so the sweeter the wine the more calories. For example, white wine and red wine are calorically similar but white wine is usually lower in alcohol which means fewer calories.
The key to responsibly enjoying any alcohol in moderation, but to truly understand the benefits and risks of alcohol speak with a doctor. Agile Health Insurance is a major health insurance provider in the United States offering customers short-term, temporary, gap coverage, and student insurance plans. Agile Health Insurance is an expert in medical insurance and works with customers to find the most competitive rates and insurance plans to suit individual needs.
Hard Spirits
Gin, whiskey, tequila, and light rum are all hard spirits that contain no additives and sugar, thus making them low in calories. Spirits are commonly mixed, but drinking spirits neat or on the rocks will keep calories in check. If a mixer is needed, go with a splash of soda or tonic and a squeeze of lime or lemon.
Whiskey contains ellagic acid which is known to fight off cancer by absorbing rogue cells. A serving of whiskey has just as many antioxidants as a glass of red wine. Tequila contains a natural sugar called agave, which is non-digestible (think fiber) and doesn’t raise blood sugar levels. When enjoyed in moderation, agave actually can help lower cholesterol and support weight loss.
Gin is made from super berries known as juniper berries. These dark berries help fight infection, prevent heart disease, improve circulation, and help fight kidney and liver disease. Consumed in moderation, gin can even help skin look healthier and help with weight management. Rum is made from molasses and other sugarcane byproducts and has great health benefits. It has been shown to enhance mental health and a standard serving can even help reduce anxiety. As with tequila, the health benefits of rum come when enjoyed in moderation.
As with any alcohol, there are many varieties of hard spirits. Drinkers new to hard spirits should visit a liquor store with knowledgeable staff to explain the difference in varieties. Joe Canal’s carries a wide range of spirits, wines, and beers from around the world and their team can answer any questions to help customers find the ideal beverage to suit their personal tastes.
Champagne
Raising a glass of bubbles is classic during holiday celebrations. Not only is champagne fun to drink, but it has several health benefits. The compounds of the red grapes used to make champagne can improve memory and spatial awareness. Champagne, like red wine, has high levels of antioxidants that can lower blood pressure and help prevent heart problems.
These antioxidants also detoxify skin and lightening tartaric acid evens out skin tone. Champagne contains fewer calories than wine, and since it’s fast-acting and encourages people to sip slowly, it’s friendly on the waistline.
