While drinking anything in excess can lead to serious health problems, whiskey drinkers should not feel uniquely endangered by their drinking enthusiasm. Some researchers have even found distinct health benefits of moderate whiskey drinking.
Low in fat and carbohydrates, drinking whiskey is not particularly fattening, especially when compared to more common alcoholic beverages like beer. If enjoyed straight and in small quantities whiskey, be it a bourbon or a single malt Scotch, should not have much affect on your waistline.
Dr. David J. Hanson, a researcher from State University of New York, has found evidence that enjoying one or two alcoholic beverages a day can lower one’s risk of developing dementia or having a stroke by 50%. This kind of responsible drinking can also help reduce chances for diabetes from 30-40%. These benefits are due to alcohol’s ability to decrease blood clots and increase good cholesterol. Whiskey also includes ellagic acid, an antioxidant known to decrease cancer cells.
Obviously in all of these cases, the health benefits can be undone by irresponsible and excessive drinking. Alcohol abuse is obviously never the goal. But when you are enjoying some high quality whiskey as you unwind in the evening, know that your drink might be giving you a much needed health boost.
