DownTown Gourmet ABQ Albuquerque

Jul 28 2009

10 Alcoholic Drinks That Are Actually Good for You

Published by under Foods and Drinks

You may not realize it, but if consumed in moderation, there are some alcoholic drinks that are actually good for you. Using some modifications on typical combinations, these drinks can be lower in calories and even provide some health benefits. Here we look at the top ten drink choices:

1. Red Wine: When one thinks of a healthy alcoholic beverage, this is at the top of the list. Red wine has powerful antioxidants within it that help to fight off cancer and even lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Drinking a glass or two of red wine after a meal can help to fight fat and even be helpful in weight loss efforts. Red wine also has properties within it that are good for the heart and may even help in preventing heart disease.
2. Sangria: This combination of red wine and fruit juice is not only delicious and filling, but actually has some excellent nutritional value to it as well. Sangria is rich in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins A and C, as well as iron, calcium, and magnesium. The fruit combined with the already healthy red wine give a powerful punch through the antioxidants contained within.
3. Gin and Tonic: If you use diet tonic and keep the gin to one shot per glass, this can be a rather low calorie drink. Gin is a natural diuretic and tonic is said to protect against malaria, so this drink actually has some healthy benefits to it as well as being low in calorie count.
4. Light Beer: Unfortunately beer is usually looked at as a calorie-laden and therefore unhealthy beverage, but these days there are some very light varieties. Light beer has a lower calorie count than its regular counterpart and is therefore a preferred choice in those watching their weight. Light beer contains hops that can even help to fight cancer, making it a great choice for alcoholic beverages.
5. Tom Collins: The combination of lemon juice, gin, club soda, cherry, and sugar is a rather healthy choice when it comes to alcoholic beverages. There is a fair amount of Vitamin C within this drink choice and if made with less sugar, it can be a good choice for those watching their calorie intake.
6. Wine Spritzers: Combining wine with club soda cuts down on the alcohol a bit and therefore lowers the calories. There are still minerals associated with this drink choice and at fewer calories per serving; it’s a popular choice when it comes to health beverages.
7. Mint Juleps: If a careful eye is given to the amount of sugar used in this drink choice, then it can cut down dramatically on the carbohydrates and calories it contains. If fresh mint is used as it is a preference, then the natural oils contained within can be of great help in providing nutritional value such as vitamins and minerals.
8. Vodka with Diet Soda: Vodka is naturally a healthier choice as it is a clear alcohol which means it contains less sugar. By partnering it up with a diet soda, it dramatically cuts down on the carbohydrates and therefore has much fewer calories than its regular counterpart.
9. Bloody Mary: If this alcoholic drink is made with real tomato juice, it provides a good serving of Vitamin C and the powerful antioxidant lycopene. This is a preferred alcoholic drink not just because of its delicious taste, but also because it can be lower in calories than other choices and packs a powerful punch through the cancer fighting antioxidants it contains.
10. Rum and Diet Coke: Though rum usually has a bit higher of sugar content to it, if combined with diet coke it can be a lower calorie drink choice. If paired up with a lime, it can even provide a serving of Vitamin C.

Mary Frederick is a blogger and enjoys writing about medical career topics, such as how to get an online Master’s in Nursing, job and education tips, and more.

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