The Lowdown on Whisky: Treat Your Taste Buds to Velvety Texture

Whisky is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash and typically aged in wooden casks. And when we’re talking about popular alcoholic beverages, whisky is for sure among the first ones on the list.

In fact, this magnificent beverage originates from Scotland and has been very popular among alcoholic beverages lovers since the 1400s. And as in meaning, whisky translates to “water of life” it’s a very common beverage consumed on special occasions such as weddings and different ceremonies. Except for being a prestigious and luxurious beverage for different occasions, a bottle of fine whisky also makes for great Valentine’s day gifts for your man.

But did you know that aside from its exceptional taste and appealing texture, whisky can be actually very beneficial for your health when consumed in moderate amounts? As much as it sounds surprising, here’s a list of the most important benefits that are worthy to be mentioned.

Whisky is Friendly for Your Heart

If you’re having doubts about whether to visit your favourite brick and mortar or online whisky store, make sure you do so and get yourself a nice bottle of this beverage, as it can be beneficial for your heart when consumed moderately.

In fact, when compared to other alcoholic beverages, whisky contains fewer calories and has no carbohydrates and sugar at all. On top of that, whisky is very rich in polyphenols – plant-based antioxidants that may lower your risk of heart diseases.

Also, polyphenols have been shown to contribute to decreasing your LDL (bad cholesterol), increasing HDL (good cholesterol) and reducing the levels of triglycerides in your blood – one of the most common reasons for clogging your arteries and causing heart diseases.

Whisky May Prevent Cancer

Even though many studies are still in progress, many of the indications are that whisky can help prevent cancer. This is due to the whisky being rich in ellagic acid, a strong antioxidant that absorbs rogue cells and free radicals in the body and helps the organism during chemotherapy treatment. Even though these statements aren’t proved by much evidence, they’re certainly encouraging.

Whisky May Lower Risk of Dementia

A case study in 2003 has proved that those who consumed whisky in moderate amounts had lower chances of experiencing symptoms of dementia than those who didn’t consume at all. On top of this, there’s a lot of evidence that drinking whisky in moderation can improve your overall cognitive function.

At the end of the day, whisky is among the favourite alcoholic beverages to many of the most intelligent people in the world, which makes for a great reason to visit your favourite whisky store and treat yourself to a bottle of this delish beverage.

Whisky Promotes Good Digestion

When experiencing indigestion and heartburn caused by specific foods, feel free to pour yourself a glass of whisky instead of reaching for antacids. The composition and alcoholic percentage of whisky make it an effective appetite suppressant, as well as a digestive aid that is consumed after a heavy meal worldwide. On top of that, whisky’s low-calorie content can additionally help you maintain your body in a good shape.

Whisky Can Ease Symptoms of Cold

Did you know that whisky is consumed to ease symptoms of cold and flu and actually has been proven as a very effective remedy? In fact, whisky is one of the main ingredients of hot toddy, a traditional Scotch cocktail that is mostly consumed in the cold months around Christmas.

This cocktail contains whisky mixed with hot water, lemon, honey and spices for flavouring – a mixture that dilates your blood vessels to make it easier for mucus membranes to deal with inflammations and infections. So, the next time you experience a stuffy nose, scratchy sore throat and shivers, make sure you head to your closest whisky shop instead of your local pharmacy and make yourself a hot toddy at home.

Whisky Supports Your Immune System

This might sound very surprising, but several studies have linked moderate whisky consumption to boosted immunity, lowered risk of different diseases, and the most important, an improved response to vaccines.

As we mentioned, the alcohol content in whisky makes it easier for your body to deal with viruses and bacteria, which proves that people who consume whisky in moderate amounts have a better antibody response compared to those who don’t consume this beverage at all. However, many scientists worldwide have stated that much more evidence is needed to understand this effect.

Whisky is a Natural Stress Reliever

Did you know that having a glass of whisky is one of the most effective ways to relieve stress and anxiety? Alcohol is considered a natural sedative, and a single glass of whiskey contains a sufficient percentage of alcohol to slow down your brain activity and increase your blood circulation. The increased blood circulation might also help oxygenate your blood and successfully curb your stress and help you relax.

However, even though visiting your nearest whisky store when feeling overstressed might sound like a great idea, keep in mind that this applies to consuming moderate amounts. In fact, consuming whisky and alcoholic beverages in big amounts might have the opposite effect on your body.

Potential Risks of Whisky

Whisky can be very beneficial for your health, but only when consumed in moderate amounts. Otherwise, keep in mind that it can increase your risk of chronic diseases and other health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver damages and even failure, as well as depression, anxiety and alcohol dependence. Now that you learned about the benefits and risks of whisky, it’s time to treat yourself to a glass of this fine beverage.