10 Amazing Health Benefits of Drinking Whisky

There’s no doubt that whisky is country music’s favourite drink. Believe it or not, consuming whisky in the right dosage may have a positive effect on your health and not just a hangover the next morning. 

Whisky gets its name from the Gaelic word “uisge beatha,” meaning “water of life,” so raise your glass and toast to these 10 potential health benefits of drinking whisky.

Health Benefits of Drinking Whisky

Drinking Whisky Prolong Your Life

A 2010 study ^[1]Wiley Online Library released by the Research Society on Alcoholism found that middle-aged and older adult moderate drinkers had a lower overall mortality rate than heavy drinkers or even non-drinkers. So raise a glass of your favorite uisge beatha and toast to long(er) life!

Drinking Whisky can soothe a sore throat

Maybe it’s the whisky river that gave Willie his sweet voice because it’s certainly good for a sore throat. Mix whisky, warm water, and honey to make a delicious cure for a sore throat. The alcohol in the whisky acts as an antiseptic and numbing agent on aching tonsils and the honey creates a thick coating that will help the healing effects last longer. You can gargle it, sip it or both if you like.

Drinking Whisky helps prevent diabetes

Whereas consuming alcohol is not recommended for patients with diabetes, studies ^[2]Science Direct have shown that long-term moderate alcohol intake can help the body regulate insulin, which could potentially reduce your risk of contracting type 2 diabetes. However, heavy drinking can increase your risk.

Drinking Whisky aids digestion

Whisky has historically been used as a digestif in many cultures throughout the ages. If you’ve had a heavy meal, an after-dinner shot of Maker’s may be just what you need to finish it off properly.

Drinking Whisky Lowers the risk of dementia

If you’ve ever woken up from an evening of heavy drinking unable to remember what you did the night before you may not believe it, but a study ^[3]Pubmed published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information concluded that drinking one to six drinks weekly could lower your risk of dementia over and above avoiding alcohol completely.

Whisky is a stress destroyer

You’ve probably headed to the bar after a bad week at work to try to erase your troubles, but you may not know that a shot of whisky can actually help you relax. The barbiturate effect of the alcohol can reduce stress, and also has sedative properties to help you sleep if you’re experiencing anxiety. This is why whisky is a classic choice of nightcap for badasses the world over.

Drinking Whisky treats the common cold

You probably grew up hearing that drinking a Hot Toddy is a great palliative for a cold. Unlike other home remedies, this one has its basis in science. The ingredients of this favorite winter beverage have many of the same properties as a dose of Nyquil. Whisky acts as a decongestant by dilating your blood vessels, while the honey, lemon, and herbal tea have anesthetic properties and can loosen mucus.

Drinking Whisky can Prevent Strokes

As with all the health benefits of whisky, the key is to consume in moderation. Because of its blood-thinning properties, a daily shot of whisky can lower a person’s risk of ischemic (clot-caused) stroke.

Drinking Whisky can Prevent Cancers

Another great health benefit of whisky is its high concentration of ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize cancer-causing free radicals in the human body. Single malt whisky is said to contain more antioxidants than red wine. So she can be his glass of wine, and he can be her shot of whisky, and they’ll both reap the health benefits.

Drinking Whisky aids to Weight Loss

Yes, you read that right. Because whisky is a low-carb drink, it makes it the perfect choice for anyone who is watching their weight. The American Society for Clinical Nutrition published a study ^[4]The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1991 that suggested that moderate intake increases energy and decreases the desire for sugar (sucrose) intake. If you’re counting your calories, a shot of whisky is 64. So put down that beer and have a shot of Wild Turkey instead.