That’s the spirit
Other alcoholic beverages appear to have the same health benefits as red wine
There’s nothing quite like a good wine, and with all of the health benefits that have been attributed to it over the years, having a small amount here and there is an indulgence we can all take pleasure in. But it turns out that your heart is no sommelier. In fact, according to some new research, it may not even be able to distinguish between a nice glass of pinot noir served alongside a juicy (organic) steak and a shot of cheap tequila thrown back by a college student at a frat party.
A recent study conducted at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in Toronto found that the heart responded the same way to both wine and spirits.
The researchers tested the effects of each type of alcohol on 13 volunteers. Participants were given either a glass of wine, a shot of spirits, or a small amount of water. Two weeks later, they returned and received a different beverage. And two weeks after that, they returned for a final time and received the remaining beverage.
When they reviewed the data at the end of the trial, the researchers concluded that there appears to be “a slight beneficial effect of one drink — be it alcohol or red wine — on the heart and blood vessels.”
This may sound like great news for those of you who aren’t red wine aficionados. But I’m also guessing that most of us have left our shot-slinging days well behind us. Which means that most of us would prefer to mix our spirits with some other sort of beverage. And this is where it gets tricky.
Sodas are the most common mixers, but both the regular and diet versions are laden with their own health pitfalls. Even juice can be problematic unless you can be sure it’s an all- natural, no-sugar-added variety. And on top of the mixer hazards, some spirits themselves have added sugar and artificial colorings and flavorings.
So while they may have the same benefits for your heart, red wine involves a lot less guesswork than spirits. If you do choose to switch things up now and then, though, keep in mind that, just like red wine, moderation is the key with spirits. The amount in the study that benefited the heart was just 1.5 ounces — any more than that and the alcohol actually has a detrimental effect.
Sources:
“Red wine heart benefits no different to other alcohols: study,” FoodNavigator (www.foodnavigator.com), 2/13/08
“Dose-related effects of red wine and alcohol on hemodynamics, sympathetic nerve activity, and arterial diameter,” American Journal of Physiology 2008; 294(2): 605-612
