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The benefits and harms of whiskey is an interesting question that at first glance may seem strange. However, the alcoholic drink does have valuable properties. Another thing is that the harm from it can be immeasurably higher.
Whiskey chemical composition
Whiskey, or scotch, is a strong alcoholic beverage that is obtained through complex processing of grain crops. There are several varieties of the drink, and the exact chemical composition depends on the raw material it was made from.
However, some components are present in any variety. In particular, the drink contains:
- water and malt;
- aldehydes and phenols;
- ellagic acid;
- antioxidants;
- complex ether substances;
- phosphorus and calcium;
- tannins;
- iron and sodium;
- potassium;
- vitamins B1, B2 and B3;
- zinc and copper.
The calorie content of the drink is quite high - about 235 kcal per 100 ml of product.
Why is whiskey useful?
Usually whiskey is discussed in the context of harmful properties. But with moderate use, it can bring benefits to the body, among other things.
In particular, the drink:
- slows down the aging process of the body and fights free radicals due to antioxidants in its composition;
- helps to cope with thyroid problems, some varieties contain a high amount of iodine;
- reduces the likelihood of blood clots, in small doses the drink accelerates blood circulation, has a positive effect on the composition of the blood and prevents it from thickening;
- activates brain activity - when used in doses, the product has a beneficial effect on memory, intellectual activity and the work of the nervous system, preventing, among other things, the development of Alzheimer's disease;
- has antiseptic properties, scotch tape is a valuable anti-inflammatory agent and helps with colds;
- improves the work of digestion, if you take the drink a little and rarely, then it will protect against heaviness in the stomach and contribute to the good absorption of nutrients;
- relieves stress and reduces anxiety, like many alcoholic beverages, whiskey has a pronounced sedative effect, although it cannot be used to calm the nerves on a regular basis.
The anti-inflammatory properties can be used topically. Alcohol is used for compresses and rubbing for joint ailments. With the help of a drink, you can disinfect skin lesions, in case a more suitable product is not available at hand.
Whiskey harm
The beneficial qualities of an alcoholic drink do not in any way reduce its potential harm:
- Frequent or excessive use of alcohol leads to the onset of intoxication, or a hangover. Alcohol compounds in its composition, when processed in the body, have a bad effect on the kidneys and liver and can lead to dangerous acute and chronic diseases.
- The systematic use of alcohol has a negative effect on the cardiovascular system. In excessive dosages, the drink provokes hypertension, increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Drinking a lot of hard alcohol is dangerous for the brain. Under the influence of alcohol compounds, brain cells are destroyed, coordination decreases, memory deteriorates and speech skills suffer.
Strong alcohol causes unconditional harm to underage adolescents; it is also strictly forbidden to drink the drink to pregnant women and mothers during breastfeeding. Drinking whiskey, even in scanty dosages, should not be before driving.
What's more harmful: vodka or whiskey
Traditionally, vodka is considered the most harmful alcoholic beverage. But if you compare it with whiskey, it turns out that it is still less dangerous to the body:
- Vodka is a pure product from the point of view of chemical composition. But the composition of whiskey contains a lot of aldehydes and fusel oils. Therefore, the body processes such a drink with great difficulty, and the damage to the liver, kidneys and other organs is higher.
- After scotch tape comes a heavier hangover. The reason is the same - fusel oils in alcohol are not removed from tissues for a long time. When drinking vodka, intoxication usually occurs faster, but the hangover is easier.
By the strength of whiskey and vodka are approximately equal to each other. But if the vodka contains the maximum 40 °, then the strength of the whiskey can in some cases be 50 ° and even more.
What's more harmful: beer or whiskey
At first glance, low-alcohol beer seems definitely less harmful than strong scotch. The advantages of beer lie not only in the low strength, but also in the fact that the drink contains quite a lot of useful enzymes and vitamins.
But in reality, the relative harm of whiskey and beer depends on the norms of consumption:
- A small glass of beer with a single dose will cause less harm to the body. If you consume beer and whiskey at regular intervals, the situation will change.
- A small portion of a strong drink will not cause a hangover and poisoning, but it will have a beneficial effect on the state of blood vessels.
- Small portions of beer when consumed frequently will have a negative effect on the liver, kidneys and metabolism.
Beer often leads to obesity, and it is this mild alcoholic drink that is considered the most dangerous in terms of quick addiction.
Which is more harmful: cognac or whiskey
Grape-based cognac and grain whiskey have strong similarities. Both drinks have a strength of about 40 °, although whiskey may have a slightly higher ABV, and both can have a positive effect on the functioning of digestion and blood vessels.
The main danger of cognac is that it contains many alcohol fractions. They have a detrimental effect on the brain and nervous system, therefore, with frequent use, cognac is more dangerous for mental activity and memory.
But at the same time, cognac remains a purer product. Unlike whiskey, it does not contain a lot of fusel oils. The hangover after drinking cognac is softer and passes faster, the drink does not have a heavy damaging effect on the liver and kidneys.
What's more harmful: rum or whiskey
High-quality rum is considered one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks. It is produced by distilling sugarcane juice, the amount of impurities in good rum is minimal.
The strength of rum, like scotch, can vary from 40 to 75 °.But there are no harmful fusel oils in the composition of rum, therefore, it causes much less damage to the body when consumed.
What's more harmful: wine or whiskey
Although wine, like any alcohol, can be harmful, it takes the first place in terms of beneficial properties. Moderate consumption of dry red and white wine strengthens the walls of blood vessels, prevents heart disease and prevents the development of diabetes.
If you choose between quality wine and whiskey, then you should stop at the grape drink. In addition, the wine has a much lower strength, usually no more than 22 °.
How much whiskey can you drink without harm
The benefits and harms of whiskey for men and women depends on the dosage of consumption. A safe daily dosage for rare drinking is considered to be 150 ml of the drink, but every day whiskey in such volumes cannot be consumed.
For medicinal purposes, it is recommended to consume no more than 30 ml of the drink for women and 50 ml for men. Such dosages are considered medicinal, for example, you can take a couple of large tablespoons of alcohol for 3-5 days to treat a cold.
Whiskey contraindications
If consumed excessively, strong alcohol can harm even a healthy person. And for certain diseases, it is necessary to completely abandon it. Contraindications include:
- acute and chronic diseases of the digestive system - gastritis, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis and colitis;
- heart and vascular ailments, whiskey helps prevent heart disease, but with existing violations, it is strictly prohibited to use it;
- hypertension, even a small dose of an alcoholic drink can lead to increased blood pressure;
- chronic diseases of the nervous system and brain;
- oncological ailments.
It is strictly forbidden to take whiskey in any quantity for pregnant women and nursing mothers. Strong alcohol should not be consumed by children under 18 years of age, regardless of dosage.
Whiskey rules
In order for the drink to bring pleasure and not cause harm, it must be consumed in accordance with the rules:
- It is best to drink strong alcohol in the evening, after 4 pm, but not before bedtime. During this period, the drink will help to relax and calm down, but will no longer affect performance.
- The drink is usually poured either into a thick-bottomed cylindrical glass, or into a wine glass with a long stem. The latter option is used when tasting elite varieties that do not need to be diluted, the glass allows the taste and aroma to unfold as much as possible.
- It is not accepted to have a snack on the drink, and it is recommended to use it on a full stomach. But if you want, you can use cheeses, fruits, seafood, sushi and even chocolate as a snack.
- It is usually diluted with cola, juices and water mainly in inexpensive whiskey or American bourbon, this improves the taste. Elite drinks are often drunk undiluted. In terms of the harm and benefits of whiskey and cola, soda can improve the taste of the drink, but it increases its sugar content and can cause additional harm to the stomach.
One of the classic combinations is whiskey on ice. Usually ice cubes are added to enhance the taste of the drink. Sometimes drinking whiskey with ice is harmful, of course, the danger is not the ice itself, but the fact that it softens the taste, and there is a temptation to drink more strong alcohol.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of whiskey depend on how often and in what quantities the drink is consumed.Regular drinking of alcohol is always a health hazard, but in scanty dosages, whiskey can even make you feel better.
