The pillars of good health: diet, exercise, and strawberry daiquiris. OK, maybe not. But it’s not as far off as you’d think.
But
before you down an entire bottle of celebratory bubbly, bear in mind
that moderation is the key to booze’s benefits. That means one drink a
day on average for women and two drinks a day for men (beyond that, you
up your risk of a whole host of diseases). Stay within that saucy sweet
spot, and the side effects of alcohol benefit your body in some
surprising ways. Here are five good reasons to raise a glass.
Protect Your Ticker
Red wine has long
been considered the elixir of heart health. But you don’t have to crack
a bottle of Merlot to drink to your heart’s content, Rimm says.
Moderate intake of any boozy beverages can cut your risk of heart
disease by up to 40 percent, according to a review of more than 100
prospective studies from the Harvard School of Public Health.
HOW
IT WORKS: Much of alcohol’s benefit to heart health has to do with its
ability to raise good (HDL) cholesterol, lower bad (LDL) cholesterol,
and reduce blood problems that can lead to clogged arteries (and the
heart attacks they cause).
DRINK
THIS: Pinot Noir. It contains more disease-fighting antioxidants than
any other alcoholic beverage. Just be sure to put a cork in it after one
glass if you’re a woman, two if you’re a man.
Beat Belly Bulge
Forget the
ill-fated beer belly—when regularly consumed in moderation, alcohol can
actually help fight fat. A 2010 study published in The Archives of
Internal Medicine found that women who had one or two drinks a day were
less likely to gain weight than those who shunned the sauce.
HOW
IT WORKS: Researchers believe that the bodies of long-term moderate
drinkers somehow adapt to metabolize alcohol differently than those who
concentrate their cocktails into the occasional big night out. Plus,
women who drink moderate amounts of alcohol tend to eat less food,
particularly carbohydrates, according to Lu Wang, lead researcher on the
study and an instructor at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
DRINK
THIS: A bottle of light beer. The women in the Archives study were
served no more than two 4-ounce glasses of wine or two 1.5-ounce shots
of liquor a day, which is a lot less than you’ll get from most
bartenders or waitresses. Sipping from a bottle makes it easy to keep
portions under control. Sam Adams Light, Michelob Ultra, and Guinness
Draught all keep calories in check without sacrificing flavor.
Reduce Risk of Diabetes
A drink a day
keeps diabetes away? Surprisingly, it can help. A 2005 report published
in Diabetes Care found that moderate amounts of alcohol—up to a drink a
day for women, up to two drinks a day for men—reduces risk of type 2
diabetes by up to 30 percent.
HOW
IT WORKS: Alcohol increases levels of a hormone that improves insulin
sensitivity. In other words, it makes it easier for your body to process
glucose and use it as energy. This helps reduce the amount of sugar in
the bloodstream and ultimately reduces risk for developing diabetes.
DRINK
THIS: Bloody Mary. You’ll be completely satisfied by just one serving
and the antioxidant lycopene in tomato juice offers a heart-healthy
bonus.
Boost Brainpower
Your brain’s
probably familiar with the downsides of drinking (Karaoke was such a
great idea… until a video of your performance showed up on Facebook),
but if you sip smart, a little tipple can help prevent cognitive
decline. Researchers from Loyola University found that moderate drinkers
were 23 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment,
Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia compared to
non-drinkers.
HOW
IT WORKS: Researchers hypothesize that since moderate drinking raises
good cholesterol, it can improve blood flow to the brain. Alcohol could
also “toughen” brain cells by stressing them a little, preparing them to
cope with major stresses later in life that could cause dementia.
DRINK
THIS: Wine. It was found to be more beneficial than beer or hard liquor
for boosting brainpower, according to the Loyola researchers.
Say Goodbye to Gallstones
Gallstones—hard,
pebble-like deposits that form inside the gallbladder and are generally
made up of hardened cholesterol—might cause pain or cramping in the pit
of your stomach. Avoid that unfortunate feeling by adding a little
alcohol to your daily diet. Research shows that regular moderate alcohol
consumption (5-7 days per week) reduces risk of gallstones. In
contrast, infrequent alcohol intake (1-2 days per week) showed no
significant association with risk.
HOW
IT WORKS: Remember how alcohol increases good cholesterol in your
bloodstream? Well, it affects cholesterol in the gallbladder too. Plus,
being overweight is one of the main risk factors for developing
gallstones, so moderate drinking can reduce your risk by helping you
maintain a healthy weight.
DRINK
THIS: Eppa Sangria. It’s the first certified organic sangria and
delivers twice as many antioxidants as a glass of red wine. Plus, one
glass only sets you back 120 calories.
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