When it comes to alcohol, it has earned a reputation for being detrimental to our health. However, alcohol can also bring some benefits to your body when consumed in moderation. That said, it is essential to note that moderation is the key.

Consuming excessive alcohol may cause liver damage, obesity, high blood pressure, and even cancer. So, let’s take a closer look at how alcohol can help our body when consumed in moderation.

1. Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

Research has shown that consuming alcohol in moderation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, arterial diseases, and strokes.

Moderate alcohol consumption can help raise levels of “good” cholesterol, which helps protect against clogging of your arteries. Alcohol can also reduce blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels and reducing the risk of developing blood clots.

2. Improves Digestion

Drinking alcohol in moderation may stimulate digestive enzymes in your stomach, aiding digestion. It also helps to promote a healthy gut microbiome by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut.

This, in turn, promotes good overall health and reduces the risk of inflammatory bowel disease and other digestive problems.

3. Boosts Brain Health

Alcohol in moderation can help improve brain function by promoting healthy blood circulation and protecting against damage to brain cells.

This leads to better cognitive function, memory, and concentration, significantly reducing the risk of mental decline and dementia.

4. Can Increase Lifespan

A study conducted on people who moderately consumed alcohol showed they had a longer life span than those who didn’t. This effect is not only associated with benefits from alcohol itself but also from the people who consume it.

Moderate drinkers tend to be social and have stronger social connections, which contributes to their overall good health.

5. Lowers Risk of Diabetes and Obesity

Light to moderate drinkers have been observed to have lower insulin levels, which reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Alcohol, when consumed in moderation, can also lower body mass index and reduce the risk of obesity.

This effect associated with bodyweight is not just linked to alcohol but the lifestyle that moderate drinkers adopt.

6. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

When consumed in moderation, alcohol has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety. Moderate alcohol consumption can increase the levels of a chemical known as GABA in your brain, which produces a calming effect.

This is why moderate alcohol consumption has been attributed to increasing happiness and relaxation in social situations.

7. Provides Moderate Nutrients

Alcoholic beverages, such as red wine or beer, can provide nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and antioxidants. Red wine contains high levels of resveratrol, which is a potent antioxidant that helps protect against heart diseases and certain cancers.

Beer is a good source of protein, vitamin B, and fibrous minerals such as silica, calcium, and potassium.

8. Can Help You Sleep Better

Research has shown that moderate alcohol consumption can help you sleep better, especially if consumed before bed. Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol can help in stimulating your body’s GABA levels leading to a relaxed and calm state.

This, in turn, allows better sleep quality and duration.

9. Reduces the Risk of Gallstones

Gallstones can be an excruciatingly painful experience for anyone. But drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can help miniaturize gallbladder stones.

It can achieve reducing the aggravation of these stones and reducing the pain experienced by some patients.

Drinking alcoholic drinks is a great way of creating social interactions. Socializing can help reduce stress and anxiety, which is known to lead to health complications.

Therefore, drinking alcohol with friends or family can be an effective method of reducing stress and promoting mental health.

Conclusion

Drinking alcohol can be both good and bad for your body. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can cause harm to your body, whereas moderate consumption of it can offer certain benefits.

Remember to consume alcohol in moderation, as this will help you gain the benefits without causing any harm to your body.