Alcoholic drink
A selection of alcoholic drinks. From left to right: red wine, malt whisky, lager, sparkling wine, lager, cherry liqueur and red wine.
A liquor store in the United States. Global sales of alcoholic drinks exceeded $1 trillion in 2014.
An alcoholic drink (or alcoholic beverage) is a drink that contains ethanol, a type of alcohol produced by fermentation of grains, fruits, or other sources of sugar. Drinking alcohol plays an important social role in many cultures. Most countries have laws regulating the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages.[1] Some countries ban such activities entirely, but alcoholic drinks are legal in most parts of the world. The global alcoholic drink industry exceeded $1 trillion in 2014.[2]
Alcohol is a depressant, which in low doses causes euphoria, reduces anxiety, and improves sociability. In higher doses, it causes drunkenness, stupor, unconsciousness, or death. Long-term use can lead to alcohol abuse, physical dependence, and alcoholism. Alcohol is one of the most widely used recreational drugs in the world with about 33% of people being current drinkers.[3] As of 2016 women on average drink 0.7 drinks and males 1.7 drinks a day.[3] In 2015, among Americans, 86% of adults had consumed alcohol at some point, 70% had drunk it in the last year, and 56% in the last month.[4] Alcoholic drinks are typically divided into three classes—beers, wines, and spirits—and typically their alcohol content is between 3% and 50%.
Discovery of late Stone Age jugs suggest that intentionally fermented drinks existed at least as early as the Neolithic period (cir. 10,000 BC).[5] Many animals also consume alcohol when given the opportunity and are affected in much the same way as humans, although humans are the only species known to produce alcoholic drinks intentionally.[6]
Tea is the world’s second-most-consumed drink
A drink (or beverage) is a liquid intended for human consumption. In addition to their basic function of satisfying thirst, drinks play important roles in human culture. Common types of drinks include plain drinking water, milk, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and soft drinks. In addition, alcoholic drinks such as wine, beer, and liquor, which contain the drug ethanol, have been part of human culture result and development for more than 8,000 years.
Non-alcoholic drinks often signify drinks that would normally contain alcohol, such as beer and wine, but are made with less than .5 percent alcohol by volume. The category includes drinks that have undergone an alcohol removal process such as non-alcoholic beers and de-alcoholized wines.
7 Health Benefits Of Drinking Alcohol
Getting wasted every weekend might not be the best thing for your physical or mental well-being, but moderate alcohol consumption may have some substantial health benefits. It should be noted that alcohol consumption and its benefits vary based on an individual’s body makeup and type.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, “moderate alcohol consumption is defined as having up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. This definition is referring to the amount consumed on any single day and is not intended as an average over several days.”
Now, we’ve all heard the reasons why alcohol is bad for you, but what about the benefits? Here is our list of seven ways that drinking alcohol in moderation (when you’re of the legal drinking age of course) might benefit your health.
1. It Can Lower Your Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
The School of Public Health at Harvard University found that “moderate amounts of alcohol raises levels of high-density lipoprotein, HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol and higher HDL levels are associated with greater protection against heart disease. Moderate alcohol consumption has also been linked with beneficial changes ranging from better sensitivity to insulin to improvements in factors that influence blood clotting….Such changes would tend to prevent the formation of small blood clots that can block arteries in the heart, neck, and brain, the ultimate cause of many heart attacks and the most common kind of stroke.” This finding is applicable to both men and women who have not been previously diagnosed with any type of cardiovascular disease.
2. It Can Lengthen Your Life
Drinking occasionally could add a few years to your life. A study by the Catholic University of Campobasso reported that drinking less than four or two drinks per day for men and women respectively could reduce the risk of death by 18 percent, as reported by Reuters. “Little amounts, preferably during meals, this appears to be the right way (to drink alcohol),” said Dr. Giovanni de Gaetano of Catholic University, another author on the study. “This is another feature of the Mediterranean diet, where alcohol, wine above all, is the ideal partner of a dinner or lunch, but that’s all: the rest of the day must be absolutely alcohol-free.”
3. It Can Improve Your Libido
Contrary to prior beliefs, newer research has found that moderate drinking might actually protect against erectile dysfunction in the same way that drinking red wine might benefit heart disease. In a 2009 study published in the, Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers found that the chances of erectile dysfunction were reduced by 25 to 30 percent among alcohol drinkers. The lead researcher, Kew-Kim Chew, an epidemiologist at the University of West Australia, conducted the study with 1,770 Australian men. In his study, Chew cautiously noted that he and his team in no way are advising men to hit the bottle, and that further research is needed to accurately connect impotence and alcohol consumption.
4. It Helps Prevent Against the Common Cold
The Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University found that while susceptibility to the common cold was increased by smoking, moderate alcohol consumption led to a decrease in common cold cases for nonsmokers. This study was conducted in 1993 with 391 adults. In 2002, according to the New York Times,Spanish researchers found that by drinking eight to 14 glasses of wine per week, particularly red wine, one could see a 60-percent reduction in the risk of developing a cold. The scientists suspected that this had something to do with the antioxidant properties of wine.
5. It Can Decrease Chances Of Developing Dementia
In a study that included more than 365,000 participants since 1977, as reported in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, moderate drinkers were 23 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. “Small amounts of alcohol might, in effect, make brain cells more fit. Alcohol in moderate amounts stresses cells and thus toughens them up to cope with major stresses down the road that could cause dementia,” said Edward J. Neafsey, Ph.D., co-author of the study, as reported by Science Daily. “We don’t recommend that nondrinkers start drinking,” Neafsey said. “But moderate drinking — if it is truly moderate — can be beneficial.”
6. It Can Reduce The Risk Of Gallstones
Drinking two units of alcohol per day can reduce the risk of gallstones by one-third, according to researchers at the University of East Anglia. The study found that those who reported consuming two UK units of alcohol per day had a one-third reduction in their risk of developing gallstones. “Researchers emphasized that their findings show the benefits of moderate alcohol intake but stress that excessive alcohol intake can cause health problems,” according to the study.
7. Lowers The Chance Of Diabetes
Results of a Dutch study showed that healthy adults who drink one to two glasses per day have a decreased chance of developing type 2 diabetes, in comparison to those who don’t drink at all. “The results of the investigation show that moderate alcohol consumption can play a part in a healthy lifestyle to help reduce the risk of developing diabetes type 2,” researchers said in a statement to
You’ve heard over and over just how much of a downer drinking alcohol can be for your health, weight loss, and attitude. But some studies have also shown that boozing on occasion has some perks. And we agree—as you keep your imbibing under control and sipping in moderation.
So, this isn’t a green light to down six beers during your next company happy hour. But it’s kinda nice to know that you can hit the bar and a enjoy a drink or two for the sake of your well-being. Check out our Eat This, Not That! Guide for Drinkers, check out the below benefits, and then bottoms up!
Category 1: Wine
UB40 knew what they were talking about when they sang, “Red, red wine, you make be feel so fine.” Turns out a bottle of red can help with heart disease, immunity, and more.
Red Wine Can Actually Burn Fat
It’s true: A glass of red could help you with your weight loss efforts. A study from Oregon State University revealed that the dark red grapes found in some types of red wine can help people manage obesity and a metabolic fatty liver, due to a chemical called ellagic acid. This chemical slows down the growth of fat cells and stops new ones from being created, which boosts the metabolism of fatty acids in liver cells. Speaking of metabolism, find out the 55 Best-Ever Ways to Boost Your Metabolism!
Alcohol Can Help Fight Colds
We’re not giving the okay to drink during a cold, but getting in the habit of drinking moderately can help prevent one. Two past studies found that the antioxidants in red wine can help you reduce your risk of a cold by a shocking 60 percent.
Red Wine is Beneficial to Your Heart
Previous research has proved that wine is great for heart health, but a recent study that compared pinot noir to vodka found that red wins. Researchers fed vodka and wine to two out of three groups of pigs along with a high fat diet for seven weeks. And while both groups that had vodka and wine both saw cardiovascular benefits, pinot noir’s antioxidants, high resveratrol content, and pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties made the alcoholic beverage the winner in this study.
Drinking Moderately Can Improve Sexual Function in Men
Scientists from the University of Western Australia found that wine drinkers experienced lower rates of erectile dysfunction than those who don’t drink. And the lower rate was significant, too: 25-30 percent! What’s the reason you ask? Well, the heart-healthy antioxidants present in wine may deserve all the credit. Speaking of, here are The Best Foods for Your Penis.
And for Women, It Offers Libido-Boosting Powers
Women who drank one to two glasses of vino had heightened sexual desire, compared to ladies who didn’t down any vino, a Journal of Sexual Medicine study found. What makes the elixir so beneficial is a rich antioxidant profile that triggers nitric oxide production in the blood, which relaxes artery walls. This increases blood flow down south, creating feelings of sexual excitement.
Red Wine Can Boost Your Memory
Ever notice how wine nights with your friends always end with a trip down memory lane? Well, this study could shed some light on that scenario. A 2015 study done by Texas A&M University found resveratrol, a compound found in the skin of red grapes, can improve memory and cognitive function in rats. So, next time you accidentally bring up an embarrassing story of one of your friends, just blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol. Speaking of good times, find out the 23 Foods That Happy People Eat!
Wine Can Make You Live Longer
If you look forward to that glass of wine or two every evening, there’s no need to give up the habit. In one review of 24 studies, researchers noted that women who drink a glass of wine every day have a lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who booze less frequently.
Vino Can Boost Your Vaccine’s Effects
Ordering a glass of wine to your meal can work in your favor during cold and flu season. A study published in Vaccine suggest that drinking wine with dinner a few times a week can help enhance the effects of vaccines. Researchers gave 12 monkeys small pox vaccines, then gave them access to either 4 percent ethanol or sugar water with the same amount of calories (the control group). They tracked the monkeys’ alcohol consumption for 14 months, vaccinating them again after the first seven months. Although the monkeys all responded to the first vaccine similarly, the moderate drinkers of the test group saw increased vaccine response than both the non-drinkers and heavy drinkers after the second.
White Wine Is Weight-Loss Friendly
It seems that red wine gets all the credit for being healthy, but fear not, white wine lovers; there’s been previous evidence that supports white wine as the better option for weight loss. A study also found that white wine’s phenols have a higher antioxidant count than the ones found in red. Here are 16 Wines for Weight Loss that a waist-friendly and wallet-friendly.
A Glass of Cab Could Enhance Your Workout
Or any type of red wine for that matter. Research published in the Journal of Physiology found that the resveratrol found in most red wines can enhance exercise performance, improve muscle strength and heart function—all benefits similar to endurance training.
Category 2: Beer
With its high calories and reputation as “liquid carbs,” beer seems to be anything but a healthy option at the bar. (Can you say beer belly?) But, research proves that an ice cold brew can do wonders for the body. Just a rule of thumb: just as you would go redder with wine, go darker with beer to reap the benefits (But more on that later). Find out why we’re saying cheers to beer!
Beer Has Vitamins
Whether you’re a fan of Bud Light or Guinness, beer is packed with B vitamins riboflavin and thiamin, plus high levels of magnesium, and calcium. But dark beers do have a slight advantage of being the better brew thanks to its high iron content, which helps oxygen circulate around the body better. Find out where your favorite brew stands in The Best & Worst Beers for Weight Loss.
Beer Can Help You Recover Faster Post-Workout
Yep, there is some truth behind the whole post-marathon beer thing! A Spanish study suggests that an ice cold beer can hydrate you just as well as water, making it perfectly ok to grab happy hour after an intense sweat session.
Beer Helps Protect the Brain
Cheers for beer! In 2015, the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reported that a compound found in beer called xanthohumol could protect brain cells from damaging, thus slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
Beer Can Strengthen Your Bones
Beer’s high source of silicon content is what’s responsible for an increase in bone density, according to a recent study. Moderate beer drinkers who consume 1-2 glasses a day are more likely to have that effect, but surprisingly, it’s women who reap the most benefits. The study reported that women who had two drinks per day saw their bone density increase up to 8.3 percent! Now, that’s a great excuse to hit the bar after work. You’ll still want to know about these 21 Ways Your Job Is Making You Fat, though!
Beer Can Alleviate Menopause Symptoms
Another reason why beer should be a girl’s best friend? A 2006 paper suggests that the chemicals in the beer may act as phytoestrogens, which can help diminish hot flashes and lessen other menopause symptoms. That study is quite a bit dated, but it’s worth a shot—er, a pint—if you ask us.
Beer Lowers Heart Attack Risks in Women
The accolades for the cold brew just keep on comin’. A Swedish study that was 32 years in the making confirmed that women who drink 1-2 brewskis per week have a 30 percent lower risk of a heart attack than those who drank heavily or none at all. And for you lovely ladies, we also have 30 Healthy Foods for Women to make a part of your diet.
Beer Helps Your Kidneys
A study from the Clinical Journal of American Society of Nephrology found that a bottle of beer can help you reduce the risk of kidney stones by 30 percent according to a study from Finland.
Beer Can Reduce Diabetes Risk
Research suggests that people who drink in moderation are 40 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those who drank too much or none at all. But just a reminder: the magic number here is one or two. Any more, and you’ll bump that risk up instead.
Category 3: Liquor and Other Spirits
If you’re one who prefers the harder stuff, then you’re in luck! While gin, tequila, and other spirits are known to be stronger in alcohol, sipping on these liquors can help with weight loss, diseases, and even a sore throat. So, what do we have to say to that? Saluté!
Like Wine, Vodka Is Also Heart-Friendly
As mentioned before, vodka can improve blood circulation, but the study above mentions that it helps the heart differently from vino. Vodka helps more collateral vessels to develop, which helps connect the heart to the lungs. And speaking of a healthy heart, steer clear of these 30 Worst Foods for Your Heart.
Tequila Can Help You Lose Weight
Sounds crazy, but we have the science to prove it. Research suggests that the agavins (natural sugar) found in this Mexican liquor are better than artificial sweeteners at helping you shed the pounds. After scientists had given a group of mice agavins into their water, they reported that the mice had lower glucose levels and were fuller longer. So, next time someone offers you a tequila shot, go for it! Just stick to one, though. (We don’t mean to be a broken record, but it’s worth the echo!)
Cranberry and Vodka Can Boost Your Creativity
Next time you’re stumped at a project, grab a cocktail. Cranberry and vodka can help get your creative juices flowing according to a study from Consciousness and Cognition. Researchers gave a group of men cranberry and vodka until their blood alcohol content reached 0.75 percent while the other group stayed sober and then asked them to complete a verbal puzzle while watching a movie. The men who boozed won the game! They solved the puzzle in 11.5 seconds while the teetotalers finished in 15.2 seconds. Check out these 10 Foods That Get Your Creative Juices Flowing for more ideas to eat and sip your way clever.
Alcohol Can Soothe Sore Muscles
Whether your choice of beverage is wine or bourbon, it can help soothe your muscles, according to a study published in the International Journal of Kinesiology & Sports Science. The study had male participants go through two rounds of exercise and then consume a small amount of an alcoholic beverage or placebo beverage. The results concluded that those who drank the booze reported less muscle soreness after recovery than those who consumed a placebo.
Whisky Can Help a Sore Throat
While wine can reportedly help prevent a cold, this quick fix might help if one still strikes you down. Mix whisky with warm water and honey, and you’ll find temporary relief to a sore throat. Like this DIY treatment? There here are 20 Natural Cures From Your Kitchen.
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