Some benefits to drinking whisky go beyond the taste; it can actually be good for you. Scientists recently found that drinking Scotch is linked to lower rates of obesity and better mental health in older adults. So, here are five reasons why you should add a little whiskey to your diet:
1. Has a Lot of Antioxidants
Single malt whisky has a lot of antioxidants, and they help protect people’s bodies from free radicals, which can cause ageing and disease. But how many antioxidants are in Scotch?
Japanese scientists analysed the antioxidant properties of many kinds of alcohol, including whisky. They found that the number of antioxidants varied by the type of alcohol and its age. The researchers then concluded that aged whisky has an “anti-ageing” effect on your body!
2. Can Lower Your Risk of Dementia
A recent study in Scotland found that drinking whisky can lower your risk of dementia. The study included more than 5,000 people aged 60 to 64 and followed them for an average of 17 years. So, compared with non-drinkers, those who drank one to three glasses of whisky per week had a 65 per cent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia at the end of the study period.
This isn’t the first time researchers have suggested that drinking scotch may help prevent cognitive decline later in life. A 2016 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people over age 65 who drank two to three servings per week were less likely than non-drinkers to develop cognitive impairment during the four years following its completion.
3. Can Help You Lose Weight
According to a study conducted at the University of Aberdeen and published in the Journal of Food Science, single malt whisky has more protein than other types of alcohol. The researchers found that Scotch has about 7 grams of protein per 100 ml (3.4 oz), which is more than beer (5 grams) or wine (1-2 grams). Meanwhile, protein is essential for building muscle mass and losing weight because it helps you feel full even when you eat less food. And one small study found that a drink made with high-protein whisky helped people eat less at their next meal than those who drank a lower-protein version of the same cocktail! Meanwhile, although there aren’t many studies on this topic yet, it’s safe to say that drinking scotch could help you lose weight if you use it as part of a healthy diet and exercise plan.
4. Drinking Scotch May Improve Your Mood
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the body, mind and social interactions. When you drink alcohol, it passes through your bloodstream and enters the brain, where it binds to receptors in the brain called GABA receptors. And GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is one of the major neurotransmitters in the brain. It’s an inhibitory neurotransmitter that makes people feel calm, relaxed and sedated – almost as if they’ve been drugged or tranquillised. This explains why people often become more talkative after a few drinks: they try to make themselves less inhibited!
5. All-Natural
Scotch is, by definition, a natural product. It’s distilled from barley and aged in oak barrels. Meanwhile, water is added to the process at the beginning to reduce the alcohol content of the distillate (a process called “mashing”) and then again after it’s been distilled to create a more consistent end product.
This list of benefits is only the beginning! So, if you’re looking to make some changes in your life, start with whisky; it tastes great, and it also has many health benefits. Drink up and live better!
