Before reading further it is important to note that many of the epidemiologic studies concluding that alcohol is healthy for you when consumed in moderate amounts have come under more scrutiny. To be clear, there is no consensus on “healthy” amounts of alcohol consumption, and many would argue that the healthiest level of alcohol consumption is zero.
Please keep in mind that we are not recommending alcohol consumption as a healthy habit anyone should regularly partake in. That said, many of us enjoy a drink now and then, so why not try to make healthy choices when we do. We have done our best to summarize the current info out there pertaining to the best choices to make when you reach for a drink.
Our method:
When categorizing alcohol into “healthy or not” categories, one of the metrics we used is polyphenol content. We also considered carbohydrate content, sugar content, ingredients, and calories.
What are Polyphenols and What are Their Benefits?
These are naturally occurring plant compounds that play a vital role in protecting our bodies against UV radiation, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Many alcoholic beverages contain these polyphenols. They are powerful antioxidants!
Fact: Ever hear of flavonoids? These are actually a specific type of polyphenol.
Specific benefits of polyphenols on heart health:
Polyphenols can:
- Raise HDL’s (the “good” type of cholesterol). See our Basics of Lipid Panel for a refresher on cholesterol.
- Prevent LDL oxidation (decreasing the risk of blockages in our arteries)
- Prevent platelet aggregation (blood clots) which leads to narrowing in the coronary arteries
- Decrease inflammation through the same mechanism of NSAID’s like Advil and Aleve
- Enhance the function of the lining of our arteries (important for heart health and blood pressure)
Benefits of polyphenols regarding cancer:
Polyphenols have been shown to:
- Help prevent growth of abnormal cancer cells in the mouth, stomach, duodenum, colon, liver, lung, breast, and skin
Benefits of polyphenols on metabolic and neurologic Health
Polyphenols can:
- Promote blood sugar regulation
- Offset oxidative stress that can lead to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
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