Over the past few years, the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption have been widely celebrated in many headlines. To those who think everything fun is bad for your health, this is a dream come true.
Of course, there are still caveats, and studies do not indicate that infrequent drinkers should start consuming more. The operative word here is drinking in moderation. For example, it is believed that the health benefits of alcohol are better for older men. Also, even moderate drinking is not recommended for pregnant women or minors.
Here’s a short list of how moderate alcohol consumption might benefit your health.
1. It Decreases the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Medical proof exists for the association between moderate alcohol consumption and a reduced risk of heart disease. Men who had alcohol between 3 to 7 days a week had fewer heart attacks than men who drank only once weekly.
Experts think that the benefits of alcohol are on the blood vessels and on blockages in the arteries to the heart and to the brain. One of the greatest effects of alcohol is related to HDL or good cholesterol. It increases HDL levels as strongly as any other lifestyle factors. It also lowers heart attack risks by acting as a blood thinner.
Moderate alcohol consumption has also been linked with better insulin sensitivity. Such a change would help prevent the formation of small blood clots that can block the arteries in the brain, neck, and heart, which commonly causes heart attack and stroke. This finding applies to both men and women without any type of cardiovascular disease.
2. It Promotes Longevity
Drinking alcoholic beverages occasionally may add a few years to your life. Experts reported that drinking less than 4 or 2 drinks per day for men and women respectively can reduce the risk of death by 18%. Small amounts, preferably during meals, appears to be the right way to drink alcohol.
This is actually part of the Mediterranean diet. Alcohol, wine above all, is the ideal partner of a lunch or dinner. Then the rest of the day must be alcohol-free.
3. It Improves Libido
Contrary to popular belief, new studies found that moderate alcohol drinking can help prevent erectile dysfunction in the same way that it might benefit heart disease.
Experts found that erectile dysfunction was reduced by approximately 25% to 30% among drinkers. This study was conducted in Australia involving 1,770 men. However, the researchers are not advising that men start hitting the bottles, and further research is needed to accurately identify the amount and frequency of alcohol required.
4. It Fights the Common Cold
Moderate alcohol consumption can decrease common cold cases for nonsmokers. According to experts, drinking at least 8 glasses of wine per week, specifically red wine, can help decrease the risk of developing a cold by as much as 60%. This has something to do with the antioxidant properties of the alcohol.
5. It Protects Against Dementia
In a study that included more than 360,000 participants since 1977, it was found that moderate drinkers were 23% less likely to suffer from cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and other types of dementia.
Small amounts of alcohol can make brain cells healthier. It toughens them up to cope with major stresses. While experts do not recommend nondrinkers start drinking, but moderate drinking, if it is truly modest, can be beneficial.
6. It Reduces the Risk of Gallstones
Drinking two UK units of alcohol daily can help reduce the risk of gallstones by one-third. Experts emphasized that this finding shows the benefits of moderate alcohol drinking. If alcohol is taken excessively, however, it will cause health problems.
7. It Prevents Diabetes
Evidence shows that healthy adults who drink 1 to 2 glasses of alcohol per day have a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to those who do not drink at all. As mentioned earlier, moderate drinking can improve your insulin sensitivity. It allows the cells of your body to use blood glucose more effectively, thus keeping your blood sugar level. To reap the health benefits of alcohol, do it at home, preferably tied to meals. If you are looking for a liquor store in Avon, CO, drop by Village Warehouse Wine and Spirits.
