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TIME to make a toast – as it turns out your favourite tipple might be a lifesaver.
Scientists have found a compound in red wine that could help prevent bowel cancer.
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A trial is planned to see if resveratrol, an antioxidant in red grapes, can starve cancerous cells and banish damaged proteins.
While it’s always best to see the doc with any health worries and to drink in moderation, Kirsten Jones reveals nine surprising benefits of booze.
PROSECCO LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE
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FANCY some fizz? Just one glass of bubbly relaxes more than just your racing mind.
The polyphenols – compounds filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory perks – boost nitric oxide levels in our blood.
This helps lower blood pressure by softening artery walls and increasing blood flow.
There’s evidence that having one flute per week can help age-related memory loss, too.
Pop that cork, we’re sold.
WHISKY BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM
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THE benefit of a hot toddy is more than just an old wives’ tale.
When that tell-tale tickle starts before a cold, a single measure mixed with warm water can help blunt those razor blades in your throat.
A few small sips helps to dull pain signals to the brain, widen blood vessels and clear out your blocked sinuses and rattling chest.
Plus, whisky contains ellagic acid, which can boost your immune system and fight infection.
CIDER RAISES YOUR MOOD
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DID you know that apple cider is packed with vitamin C?
It contains about 4.5mg of the good stuff which, along with helping us fight off nasty winter bugs, can actually boost our mood.
Vitamin C has been found to regulate the release of happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine and ease inflammation, which can be linked to depression.
There is no harm in a pint or two of cider a week alongside vitamin-packed fruit and vegetables such as oranges and leafy greens.
GIN AND TONIC TACKLES STRESS
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THERE is a reason why a Friday-night gin and tonic feels so good.
Juniper berries, which give the spirit its delightful tangy taste, have a calming effect on the body and mind.
According to research, the woody, refreshing scent helps relieve stress and tension in the body.
So have a good whiff before you sip that measure.
EASE ARTHRITIS WITH RUM
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WHILE scurvy was once the scourge of sailors on the high seas – due to the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables – their love of rum helped ease any nagging joint pain.
Research suggests that a tot of rum in moderation may boost bone mineral density and help ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Studies found folk who normally drank alcohol and then stopped doing so actually experienced worsening pain.
Drink up, me hearties.
CUT DIABETES RISK WITH WINE
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ACCORDING to a Greek study, people who drink a daily glass of wine have a 53 per cent lower chance of developing diabetes compared to those who don’t drink at all.
It is all thanks to the antioxidant resveratrol, which helps manage blood sugar levels.
But scientists have found only moderate amounts of booze – consumed with food – helped lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
That’s a maximum of 14 units per week, or one small glass a day, so take it easy folks.
VODKA CAN TACKLE TOOTHACHE
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LOW in calories and an excellent antiseptic, there are hidden benefits in a little shot of vodka.
While studies suggest that drinking the spirit in moderation can improve mood and digestion, it is also a tried-and-tested tonic for aiding toothache.
Sufferers can take a soothing sip of the hard stuff – without a sugary mixer, of course – to help kill germs and numb painful areas while they wait to get an appointment with the dentist.
GUINNESS CAN PREVENT BLOOD CLOTS
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WHEN your grandparents told you that “Guinness is good for you,” they might have actually had a point.
A pint of the black stuff is as effective as aspirin in preventing blood clots, say scientists in Wisconsin.
The stout is bursting with vitamin B6, which prevents the build up of a nasty heart-harming chemical called homocysteine.
Plus, thanks to its high- fibre unmalted barley, it will keep you regular.
Drink in moderation
THE NHS recommends drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol a week for men and women.
This is equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or around ten small glasses of a lower-strength wine.
For more details see drinkaware.co.uk.
