It’s no secret that liquor
sales are up and Americans are increasing their alcohol consumption more than
ever since the pandemic began. Aside from the major potential risks of
dependence or addiction, alcohol consumption can also lead to increased body
fat and loss of lean muscle mass, increased risk of cancer, and many other
serious conditions.
With the holidays coming up
and the end to the pandemic nowhere in sight, it’s completely understandable
that most people are going to drink regardless.
So,
for those of us who are trying to lose weight, stay fit, and optimize our
physical health, what are the healthiest alcohol options?
Integrative men’s health
specialist Dr. Myles Spar, Chief Medical Officer of Vault
Health, has
several of his expert recommendations and healthy favorites:
1. Red Wine
If you pay attention to the news, you’re
probably not surprised to see this one at the top of this list. Science has
consistently shown that red wine can provide a number of health benefits,
especially when it comes to your heart.
According to the Mayo Clinic, red wine contains antioxidants like
resveratrol that may help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, protect your blood
vessels, and inhibit clotting. And a review examining the effects of wine’s abundant antioxidants found it
may be beneficial for reducing cardiovascular risk factors.
New research suggests red wine may also give your brain a
boost by leaving protective compounds in your gut. Looking to understand how
red wine consumption can delay the onset of neurodegenerative brain diseases
like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, researchers from the Institute of Food
Science Research in Madrid studied the compounds left in the gut after wine has
passed through it. They discovered that some of these compounds can protect
neurons from being damaged or killed off.
2. Bloody Mary
This drink makes the list due to its low
caloric content and high nutritional value. Tomato juice is packed with
vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like lycopene, which has been shown to
protect against heart disease and some types of cancer. (Look for the
low-sodium variety, since some tomato juices contain a ton of salt.)
Celery and
other vegetable garnishes add nutrients like vitamin K, folate, and fiber. Like
your bloody mary on the spicy side? According to LiveStrong, hot sauce like Tabasco contains capsaicin, a
compound that may aid in digestion and could even lead to weight loss—a study published in the International Journal of Obesity found
capsaicin increased satiety and reduced fat intake.
3. Margarita or Mojito
The most important thing to consider when
weighing the health benefits of a cocktail is the mixer. Soda, juice, and even
tonic water are loaded with sugar, as are pre-made mixes. To enjoy a margarita,
simply pour tequila and freshly squeezed lime juice over ice in a glass with a
salted rim. If you’re in the mood for a refreshing cocktail but don’t want a
sugar bomb, try a mojito. This classic Cuban highball features fresh mint,
which Dr. Oz reports is good for digestion and helps cleanse your liver.
Try
Esquire’s recipe for the ultimate mojito:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp. superfine sugar
- 3 mint leaves
- 2 oz. white rum
- Club soda or seltzer
Directions:
Muddle lime juice with sugar in a glass. Add mint, pressing leaves gently against the side of the glass. Fill
glass 2/3 full with ice and pour in rum. Top with soda or seltzer and garnish
with the squeezed-out lime shell.
4.
Hot
Toddy
This medicinal drink is so popular there’s
even a holiday devoted to it: National Hot Toddy Day, which falls on January 11th, in case you’re
interested in celebrating. Not only does it taste great, the traditional
combination of whiskey, lemon, honey, and boiling water may also ease cold
symptoms because hot drinks promote mucus secretion, which defends against
bacteria and viruses. This is especially true of sweet and sour drinks like the
toddy.
As for the alcohol, it can act as a sedative to help you sleep, the best
thing you can do to speed recovery when you’re under the weather. Just don’t
overdo it—too much alcohol will make you feel much worse instead of better.
5.
Vodka
& Soda or Martini with Olives
While it doesn’t offer any health benefits per
se, this drink is a good choice for people who are watching their weight. For a
healthy twist on your Vodka & Soda, try adding frozen grapes. The American Heart Association recommends these as a heart-healthy way to
satisfy your sweet tooth and freezing them also helps keep your drink cold for
longer.
According to MyFitnessPal, the average vodka and soda water with lime
only contains 96 calories. And a martini only has the vodka or gin, a bit of
olive juice, and olives, which have healthy monounsaturated fats. Just be sure
to skip the blue-cheese stuffed variety.
Obviously, there’s no
such thing as healthy alcohol if you drink too much of it, so be sure to make
sure you’re drinking responsibly and don’t have a dependency on it.
Wondering what other areas of your health
could use your attention? Check out the blog posts and great insights at https://www.vaulthealth.com/ to find more.
Please drink responsibly this holiday season!
