5 Healthy Alcoholic Beverages for Your Holiday Party

Ok, you’re right . . . there’s not really a truly healthy alcoholic beverage when you think about it, given their “empty calories.” But there are options that are healthier than others!

Most people are familiar with the scientific studies that have demonstrated the benefits of drinking alcohol in moderation. Of course, these benefits are dependent on the type of drink and the amount of alcohol you take in.  For instance, if you only drink one glass of wine a day, you may experience several health benefits.

Unfortunately, most of us don't just go out and have one drink . . . we usually end up with quite a few. Nutritionally, there isn't much to be said about alcohol, especially if you drink a lot. But there are certain alcoholic drinks like wine or beer that can have some health benefits.  If a glass of beer or wine is not really to your liking, then there are other drinks that, while not exactly healthy, have some nutritionally redeeming quality to them.  Remember, though, this does not mean you can make these alcoholic beverages a basic staple of your diet!

Wine

Drinking one to two glasses of wine a day can have numerous health benefits.  A recent study conducted in Finland showed that during a 29-year process, wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate. The results also demonstrated a 30 percent reduction in heart attacks, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. People who love red wine also enjoy health benefits, as red wine contains both procyanidins and resveratrol, which protect against heart disease and other dangerous health conditions.
 
Beer

Recent studies also indicate that beer has just as many health benefits as wine. The brand is indifferent to the results of such studies, but these do demonstrate that drinking a beer or two a day reduces your chances of suffering from strokes or heart disease.

Bloody Mary

While other types of alcohol may not have any nutritional value per se, the ingredients with which you mix a drink may be nutritionally sound. For instance, a  Bloody Mary is infused with vitamin C and antioxidants, as it is the tomato and lemon juice mixed with the celery salt that make it healthier than other types of alcohol beverages.

Champagne

If you are looking for the health benefits of a wine, but want a little more "PIZZAZ," then try a small glass of champagne. This alcoholic drink is not only healthy but also has fewer calories than wine or beer. At only 85 calories a glass, you may find it more enjoyable than either a light beer or glass of wine.

Gin and Tonic

You should note that some alcoholic beverages have a high caloric value; even a typical Gin and Tonic can have more than 200 calories. You can make a cocktail like this slightly healthier by substituting with diet tonic and a wedge of lime. This will reduce the calorie intake by about 100 calories, and it will be just as delicious. By the same token you can make other alcoholic beverages less damaging by substituting low calorie mixers for their high calorie counterparts.