When You Drink Bourbon Every Day, This Is What Happens To Your Body - The List (2024)

When You Drink Bourbon Every Day, This Is What Happens To Your Body - The List (1)

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ByHope Ngo/Updated: June 25, 2020 2:32 pm EST

Bourbon is America's native spirit — as actually declared by an act of Congress in 1964. In order for the drink to be considered bourbon, it must be distilled anywhere in the U.S., although 95 percent is made in Kentucky (via Fresh Mag). While the name is thought to be inspired by a former county in Kentucky, historian Michael Veach toldSmithsonian Magazine that the spirit could have been named after the New Orleans entertainment district where it was popular. "People starting asking for 'that whiskey they sell on Bourbon Street', which eventually became 'that bourbon whiskey.'"

Now that you've got its history, are there any benefits to drinking bourbon and other whiskeys? Surprisingly, the answer is yes! First, it's important to note that health experts recommend women enjoy no more than one serving (two for men) of alcohol(for hard liquor, that's 1.5 ounces) daily, per the official Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Overdoing it can have the opposite effect on your health — and no, you can't save up drinks and have them all in one day (via Healthline).

Bourbon's health benefits

When You Drink Bourbon Every Day, This Is What Happens To Your Body - The List (2)

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Why is bourbon a good choice? It goes way beyond the delicious smoky flavor. Unlike scotch and other whiskeys, which often come with caramel coloring, bourbon is typically free of additives (via The Whiskey Wash). And, in particular, when you buy a bottle labeled "straight," it will be in its purest form. And while the additives don't affect taste, they aren't exactly good for you. Basically, they are the same chemicals they add to colas for color, and they may put you at a greater risk for cancer, per Nutrition Action.

More good health news for bourbon drinkers: It, like all whiskeys, can help your skin and hair. Plus, the beverage is a lower-calorie alternative to beer — having 97 calories in one serving, compared to 150 to 200 in a bottle of beer (via Bicycling).What's more, enjoying six servings a week may reduce your risk of dementia, per a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The longevity boost doesn't end there. Multiple studies showed a moderate amount of whiskey (no more than seven servings a week) lowers your risk of heart disease and heart failure, according to Forbes. Finally, thanks to the whiskey's high levels of ellagic acid, an antioxidant that neutralizes dangerous, free-radical molecules, it can help you avoid cancer (via Medical Daily).

Sure, some of these benefits can be found in other ways, say, by eating certain fruits. But where's the fun in that? Cheers!

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When You Drink Bourbon Every Day, This Is What Happens To Your Body - The List (2024)

FAQs

When You Drink Bourbon Every Day, This Is What Happens To Your Body - The List? ›

The downsides of drinking too much whiskey every day are similar to drinking too much alcohol in general. These include: Weight gain. Increased risk of cancer.

What happens if you drink bourbon everyday? ›

Potential Risks of Whiskey

Heavy alcohol use can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. While low amounts may support brain health, in excess, studies show alcohol can disrupt how memories form. Over time, this can lead to cognitive decline.

What does bourbon do to the body? ›

Bourbon dilates the blood vessels acting as a decongestant, while the rest of the ingredients have properties that help alleviate cold symptoms. Plus, the antioxidants present in the whiskey help give your immune system a much-needed boost.

Is bourbon anti inflammatory? ›

What makes whiskey a go-to for those who are health conscious is the antioxidant properties of the drink (which prevent cellular damage), the presence of anti-inflammatory chemicals (which can reduce pain and swelling), and the concentrations of chemical compounds (which can help reduce cholesterol levels).

Is drinking a bottle of bourbon a week too much? ›

Well, in fact, the liver has an immense capacity to regenerate. Hence, the 'safe limit' for alcohol consumption is said to be 21 units per week (1 unit is approximately 25 ml of whiskey) in men, and 14 units in women.

Is bourbon hard on your kidneys? ›

Alcohol causes changes in the function of the kidneys and makes them less able to filter the blood. Alcohol also affects the ability to regulate fluid and electrolytes in the body. When alcohol dehydrates (dries out) the body, the drying effect can affect the normal function of cells and organs, including the kidneys.

Is it OK to have a shot of bourbon every night? ›

As with any other type of alcohol, whiskey is believed by many to have mild to moderately beneficial effects when consumed in moderation. This means drinking no more than 3oz of whiskey per day for men (2 shots of whiskey) and 1.5oz per day for women (1 shot of whiskey), with no additional alcoholic drinks.

Is bourbon the healthiest alcohol? ›

Bourbon is a lower calorie drink when compared to other alcohol. It also has been shown to curb appetite and aid in digestion after meals, lowering the risk of obesity. These benefits are once again attributed to the ellagic acid found in bourbon.

What does bourbon do for the skin? ›

1 – Bourbon can exfoliate your skin.

These sugars can aid in the removal of dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth and revitalized. Furthermore, the alcohol in bourbon can assist to break down any excess oils on your skin, unclogging your pores and preventing acne.

Is bourbon a stimulant or depressant? ›

Alcohol is considered a central nervous system depressant.

Is bourbon good for arthritis? ›

Alcohol's inflammatory effects can aggravate both degenerative joint pain from osteoarthritis and auto-immune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis may flare up in response to a particular type of whiskey or beer. Alcohol's effects on immune function can also inhibit normal joint healing.

Does bourbon help your stomach? ›

#1 Whiskey can help to improve digestion

Alcohol in general can help to curb appetite, reducing the risk of overstuffing yourself and putting your digestion system to work that it can't handle. A glass of whiskey after a meal can help to reduce stomach pains or indigestion better than beer or wine.

Does bourbon help your heart? ›

Increases Good Cholesterol

Healthy levels of HDL prevents the accumulation of bad cholesterol in the body. Bourbon keeps cholesterol levels in balance, which prevents diseases such as Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Is two glasses of bourbon a day too much? ›

A note on drinking level terms used in this Core article: The 2020-2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines states that for adults who choose to drink alcohol, women should have 1 drink or less in a day and men should have 2 drinks or less in a day. These amounts are not intended as an average but rather a daily limit.

Is a shot of bourbon a day bad? ›

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

What happens if you drink alcohol everyday for a year? ›

Long-Term Health Risks. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.

Is drinking a glass of bourbon a day bad? ›

A study done by the Harvard School of Public Health found that moderate amounts of bourbon can help protect the body against Type 2 Diabetes. Participants of the study that drank between half a drink and up to four drinks per day had a 30% reduction in their risk for developing diabetes.

Is drinking a bottle of bourbon a day bad? ›

Yes, bourbon is good for you. But it's not without restrictions. Plenty of studies have shown that daily whiskey drinkers have a lower risk of developing health issues like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.

Is it OK to drink bourbon straight? ›

Bourbon purists drink their juice neat- which means it's served at room temperature without anything added. It's typically poured in a rocks glass, shot glass, snifter, or Glencairn glass. This is the preferred method for seasoned whiskey drinkers, but it's a great way to get the real deal from a bottle of bourbon.

Why is bourbon so addictive? ›

Bourbon does contain a high amount of alcohol per serving. However, this alcoholic drink's specific taste and smell combined with its secret aging process make it extremely addictive.

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