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To drink or not to drink? This is a pertinent question that haunts every fitness enthusiast whenever they come across sinfully inviting alcoholic drinks in parties or clubs. Though alcohol cannot be prescribed as a healthy option, there are some alcoholic drinks that may have surprising health benefits. Excess of anything is bad. But if you are somebody who occasionally likes to unwind over drinks despite being health conscious, then you should choose an alcoholic beverage that offers some health benefits when taken in moderate amounts. Here are some healthier alcoholic drink options you can explore without feeling guilty.
Vodka
If you are on a strict diet and are working out to reduce your weight, then vodka and soda is the drink for you. In the middle of your dieting regime, if you feel like having alcohol, then go for this simple combination. A single serving of vodka (around 1.5 ounces) contains an average of 96 calories and zero percent fat. Although there is no known nutritional value in vodka, it sure is an excellent option for calorie-conscious people.
Bloody Mary
You can take the modest vodka a notch higher by infusing a punch of flavors in it. Add a few more ingredients such as tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, celery, Tabasco, salt and pepper, and upgrade your drink in terms of taste and nutritional value. Tomato juice is packed with nutrients like vitamin A, flavonoid antioxidants, vitamin C, lycopene, catechins, zeaxanthin, lutein, and potassium, which are essential for your skin and eye health. Other ingredients in Bloody Mary like celery, horseradish and Worcestershire sauce have several health benefits such as maintaining blood pressure; prevention of cancer, UTIs and kidney stones; easing insomnia; fighting the common cold and improving digestion. This low-calorie cocktail is definitely a winner when it comes to taste and health.
Red Wine
Red wine is not only rich in taste but also in nutritional value. Taking small quantities of red wine may be beneficial for your health. Active compounds in the alcoholic drink such as resveratrol, quercetin, and polyphenols are known to improve heart health and lower bad cholesterol. Wines are packed with antioxidants and contain four to nine percent of your Dietary Reference Intake of iron, five percent of magnesium and 9.4 percent of potassium.
Sangria
Now that we know the benefits of red wine, let’s take a look at the merits of a classic cocktail made with red wine. Sangria, a popular Spanish alcoholic drink is loaded with flavor and nutrients. The ingredients in the drink may contain lemon, cut oranges, lime, orange juice, apples, raspberries, strawberries, sugar, gin and triple sec along with red wine. All these fruits are rich sources of Vitamin C, beta-carotene, B complex vitamins, antioxidants and dietary fibre. These ingredients not only make the cocktail refreshing but may also improve metabolism and lead to better cardiovascular health.
Whiskey
Drink to health! Yes, Whiskey may be beneficial when taken in moderation. An excellent option for those looking at weight loss. It is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and carbohydrates but rich in ellagic acid which is a powerful antioxidant. Whiskey serves as an antidote to fight against common colds and infections. It may help control diabetes, improve the immune system, prevent dementia and protect heart health.
Champagne
The moment one thinks of champagne, a celebratory scenario pops up in mind. A lot of times we celebrate our memorable events/occasions with a toast of champagne and interestingly the alcoholic drink may actually help you enhance your memory performance. At the same time, the bubbly drink may also improve your skin quality when taken in moderate quantities.
Mimosa/Bellini
A delightful cocktail made with champagne is not just a treat for your taste buds, but for your health as well. Mimosa is a combination of champagne and orange juice while Bellini comprises champagne and peach juice. These fruit juices are high on nutritional value. While orange juice is rich in vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6 and thiamine; peach juice is packed with nutrients like vitamin A, B and C, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. These nutrients boost your immunity, maintain blood pressure, improve bone health and promote cardiovascular health. With so many health benefits, this delicious beverage is certainly one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks.
In the end, it’s all about moderation and making good choices. If you really plan on drinking, try these alcoholic drinks that are comparatively healthier than other alcoholic beverages. Anyway, what’s better than just getting some elixirs of your choice delivered to you from Lazada or Honestbee and then just winding down, feet up on the table and having a slow glass or two after a long day? It might even do you a lot of good!
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Please Note: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. If you have any health concern, see a licensed healthcare professional in person.
This post is written in collaboration with Nidhi Mahajan —a partner of The Good Men Project
Photo by Roberto Patti on Unsplash