From red wine for better sex to gin for clearing wrinkles – the secrets of how to booze AND stay healthy
RELAXING with a glass or two of wine or your favourite beer can do wonders for the heart.
A US study found light to moderate boozing has a calming effect, which reduces harmful swelling and damage in the blood vessels.
And booze isn’t just good for the old ticker.
Georgia Trevitt highlights some other lesser-known health benefits inside a glass of your favourite tipple . . .
BEER MAKES YOU BRAINIER: A few pints at the pub quiz could put you on a winning streak, according to research published in Science Direct.
Those with a slight beer buzz solved puzzles faster than sober counterparts, and they were 30 per cent more likely to find the unexpected solution.
That is because the bitter components of beer can raise good cholesterol, which improves blood flow to the brain.
Moderate beer drinkers may also live longer, as the tipple lowers the risk of diabetes and strengthens the heart.
VODKA FOR ARTHRITIS: Your vodka and tonic could reduce inflammation and lower the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, if drunk in moderation.
It can also increase levels of good cholesterol, which prevents the heart’s arteries from being clogged up.
Not just that, vodka reduces your chances of suffering a heart attack.
One study published in the National Library Of Medicine found that those who drank a moderate amount of alcohol three or four days a week were at a lower risk
RED WINE FOR BETTER SEX: If you need a boost between the sheets, reach for the red.
A study published in the Journal Of Sexual Medicine in 2009 found it increases testosterone, and that those who drink two glasses a day have higher sex drives than do beer or cocktail lovers.
The same study also found red wine increases blood flow to the erogenous zones in women, which makes sex more pleasurable.
GIN WARDS OFF WRINKLES: Juniper berries in gin could be the secret to this, according to a study published in the Industrial Crops And Products journal in 2018.
The berries contain flavonoid and polyphenol antioxidants, which are proven to be anti-ageing.
Other studies also found that the same berries can increase longevity, and one published in science journal Heliyon in 2019 revealed they can be effective at removing potentially harmful toxins from the blood.
BRANDY BOOSTS IMMUNITY: A daily brandy could keep the doctor away because it is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which reduce inflammation and fight bacteria.
That means it can help relieve sore throats and coughs, and other evidence suggests it can help thin the blood to prevent clots – but drink only in moderation.