6 Astonishing Beauty Benefits of Vodka You Should Definitely Know
Vodka is a liquor seen as one of the beverages in parties or pubs. Most men and women are addicted to its taste also the other surprising benefits of this alcohol. It is prepared from the fermentation of potatoes, cereals, and grapevines. The origin of this drink is from Russia, Sweden, and Poland. Vodka has a lot of health benefits too and even used for cleaning purposes. The astringent property and antiseptic nature of the vodka has a lot of beauty benefits. It gives excellent nutrition to your skin and hair. It can cleanse your body and provide sufficient nutrients. Here are some amazing beauty benefits of Vodka.
Removes Dandruff
To get a Dandruff Free Scalp mix vodka with few drops of rosemary, lemon, and apply it over the scalp. The antifungal property in vodka can keep away from infections and prevents hair fall. This is the natural remedy to get rid of dandruff and to enhance the hair follicle for healthy hair growth.
Increases Hair Volume
Vodka is packed with nutrition that is beneficial for hair growth. To get lustrous hair use it as conditioner or shampoo to induce more nutrients to your scalp. It can smoothen your hair and gives bouncy look.
Has Antiseptic Properties
Vodka has a high antiseptic property that clears pores and acne problems. Vodka in diluted form can apply over your face to kick off black spots, dark circles, and dirt. It gives smooth, clear, and glowing skin when combined with olive or jojoba oil. It moisturizes the skin and wards off germs.Alleviates Anti-aging It is surprising to know that vodka shows excellent results in giving a young look. It acts as an anti-aging serum to prevent lines and wrinkles. Vodka can tighten your skin and retains a youthful appearance.
Goodbye Blackheads And Whiteheads
Blackheads or whiteheads are found mostly on your nose and areas around it. There are facials to remove them or you can strip off. Instead of going through the painful process of emptying your pocket money, go for a natural remedy. Vodka has the power to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads in your skin.
Removes Bad Odour
Your legs are likely to attach more dirt and germs. These germs may turn into a bad odor. The disinfectant and antiseptic property of vodka act as a cleansing agent to keep away the stinking smell that comes from your feet. If you want to grab the benefits of vodka then you can visit the best liquor store in Avon, CO where you can get the best quality of vodka as per your taste.
Thomas Jefferson once quipped, “Beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit and promotes health.” As it turns out, the brewed spirit also can be good for the environment. Spent barley — the leftover malt and adjuncts in barley after brewers have extracted most of the sugars, proteins and nutrients — is by far the largest byproduct of beer brewing. But the used grain is far from being considered waste. It can be used to fertilize gardens, feed livestock and is used in cooking.
And now, spent barley might play a role in keeping our waters clean. According to the article “Toxic Algae is Ruining Our Lakes. The Solution: Beer” posted this month in Outsideonline.com, the used grain could be used to help reduce toxic algae blooms in lakes and ponds. For the past several years, barley straw has been used to help control algae growth. While scientists aren’t exactly sure how it works, the straw, when exposed to sunlight and oxygen, produces chemicals that prohibit growth of the noxious scum without harming other aquatic plant life.
In some cases, the presence of the straw actually has helped the growth of beneficial plants. The only drawback is that barley straw needs to be put out months before the algae begins to grow so it has time to break down and release the beneficial compounds. But Taylor Armstrong, a doctoral candidate at the University of Maryland, thinks that beer might hold a solution to that. Armstrong and her professor, Al Place, have been examining spent barley grain as a speedier alternative to straw bales. Brewers use barley hulls to make beer.
Those hulls have more phenolic acids and flavonoids than does barley straw. Even better, the barley already begins to degrade during the brewing process, which could translate to a significantly shorter lead time than is required of barley straw. While Armstrong says test results are promising, she warns brewers not to start throwing their spent grain into local ponds just yet. Much research remains to be done.
You can grab the best beer from a liquor store in Vail, CO which is a wonderful tonic that can keep you healthy when consumed moderately.
4 Types of Healthy Beer (And the Benefits of Drinking Them)
The average American male drinks approximately 23 gallons of beer per year, which creates a national demand of approximately 200 million barrels. Of course, since you’re on a beer blog right now reading this, it’s probably a safe bet that you drink a slightly higher than average amount of beer per year.No matter how much you drink, there’s no denying that beer’s popularity continues to soar high. As such, so has the desire to drink a beer that won’t adversely affect your health.
Past studies have suggested that the moderate consumption of beer can have some health benefits associated with it. While the term moderation may be defined differently by different people, the truth of the matter is that there are some beers out there that are “healthier” than others. With the recent announcement that Australian scientists have created a beer with electrolytes, it got us thinking. What are the healthiest beers out there? After doing some digging around, here are four types of healthy beers and their alleged health benefits.
1) Heart-Friendly Beer
Beer has long been known to benefit heart health. In fact, a study from 2012 found that “moderate consumption of beer is associated with lower cardiovascular risk.” Researchers concluded that the natural antioxidants, known as phenols, found in many types of beer is behind the reason why heart function improved in the participants of the study.The highest phenol concentrations are available in brews like Yuengling Light Lager, Abita Purple Haze and Left Hand Good Juju. Yuengling provides full flavor while staying light on calories.
A typical glass of Yuengling Light Lager contains approximately 99 calories, and still contains those healthy phenol benefits.Additionally, Abita includes real raspberries to its brew, which reduces the bitter taste of some ales. The berries also add extra antioxidants to your drink, which one would presume adds to the amount of heart health benefits. Left Hand Good Juju is made with fresh ginger – a superfood that is good for the heart. Good Juju is also light on calories, but doesn’t skimp on flavor.
2) Gluten-Free Beer
For many Americans, staying healthy means following a diet free from grains, commonly referred to as a gluten-free diet. This is especially important for the estimated two million Americans that suffer from Celiac disease. The easiest way to treat this devastating gastrointestinal disease is to avoid gluten at every turn.
How to Brew Gluten-Free Beer
Everything you should know as you try to brew your own Gluten-Free beer at home.The good news is that gluten-free beers have been steadily growing in popularity over the last few years. However, depending on where you live, gluten-free beer can be somewhat tricky to find. Call your local craft beer store and inquire about their selection of gluten-free beers. Depending on whether or not they have the beer you’re looking for, it’s possible that they can special order it for you.
One delicious example of a gluten-free beer is from Lakefront Brewery, which produces a popular pale gold beer called New Grist. This beer is brewed from rice and gluten-free yeast grown on molasses. It was also the first beer to have its label approved as gluten-free.Dogfish Head also has a popular gluten-free beer called Tweason’ale.
Instead of barley, Dogfish uses a sorghum syrup base with touches of strawberries, molasses and buckwheat honey. While it’s only a seasonal brew, it’s worth a try if you come across it. Another excellent gluten-free beer is Bard’s Original Sorghum Malt Beer. Created with sorghum syrup instead of grain syrup, this beer resembles a traditional wheat ale and rivals the originals in both taste and scent.
3) Brain-Healthy Beer (The Ultimate Nootropic?)
In a happy turn of events, researchers in Boston have discovered that drinking beer may actually boost your brain health. According to a study with 3,660 participants, those that were light to moderate drinkers — less than 14 drinks per week — tended to have fewer strokes than non-drinkers. Researchers believe that this is due to alcohol having the ability to thin your blood, thus helping prevent the formation of blood clots.
While more research is needed to show the extent to which beer helps, researchers did state that excessive drinking may cause atrophy of the brain. As the saying goes, everything in moderation, no matter how tasty it may be. In addition, light consumption of beer may also help improve your mental health as well. Drinking beer in moderation is believed to help decrease anxiety and depression. Look for beers that contain plenty of nutrients like protein, Vitamin B, iron, niacin, riboflavin and magnesium.
Most beers already carry these powerful ingredients along with others that help to boost your emotional state.Of course, other studies have shown that alcoholism and excessive drinking may actually lead to depression and other related mental-illnesses, so make sure you drink responsibly. Drink with a friend who can hold you accountable to the amount of drinks you consume and encourage you to make healthy choices.
4) Hangover-Free Beer
Technically, this type of beer isn’t out on the market yet, at least not that we know of. But, scientists in Australia recently announced that they have added electrolytes to beer in the quest to create a hangover free beer. Researchers claim that by adding electrolytes and reducing the amount of alcohol in beer, it will help keep you hydrated, thus ensuring that you will not get a hangover the next day.
In the study, researchers from Griffith University added electrolytes to two popular, but unnamed, beers. One of which was light (2.3% ABV), and the other is something they call “full” strength (4.8% ABV). They gave the augmented beer to participants that just had a rigorous exercise, in attempt to see which type of beer would help them recover their fluids. They found that the light beer with added electrolytes was found to be the “most effective at re-hydrating” participants.
As promising as this all sounds, it must be noted that only seven people participated in this study. And those seven people were only tested on four separate occasions. Despite the obvious limitations of this research, it’s also the first study of its kind. There’s no denying that far more research is needed to confirm whether electrolytes in your beer will prevent a hangover or not.
Healthy Beer & You
It’s important to remember that despite any potential health benefits your beer may offer, there are healthier things you can put into your body. If you’re looking to lose weight, beer may not be the best thing to consume. If you just took medicine, beer may not be the best thing to consume. Despite what we want to believe, beer is not a superfood and should not be treated as such.
While all beers tend to contain at least some health benefits, some styles of beer will provide more benefits than others. If I had to choose the healthiest type of beer, I would lean towards gluten-free. The key thing to remember when it comes to beer, or any type of alcohol, is to drink in moderation and do so responsibly. Getting the perfect type of beer is sometimes hard but now you can easily find the world’s best quality beer in a Vail, CO liquor store.
An Ohio Army Veteran lost 44 lbs in 46 days — by drinking craft beer. He modeled his liquid diet on the diet of monks in the 17th century. Hall said the weight loss was simply a side effect, and that he wouldn’t promote an “all-beer” diet– but what is the nutritional value of craft beer? This week on Beer Notes, we’re talking about the health benefits of drinking craft beer.
It’s no secret that the over-consumption of any alcohol can have serious and even fatal effects. There are legitimate studies that show that there are real health benefits of the moderate consumption of beer. What is moderation? As defined by the USDA, moderation is up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men
Beer could lower your risk of diabetes
People who drink 3 – 4 times/week were less likely to develop diabetes than non-drinkers, and men who enjoyed 1 – 6 beers per week had a 21% lower risk of diabetes compared to those who didn’t drink beer.
Beer may make your heart healthier
In a study by the American Heart Association in 2016, moderate drinkers had the slowest decline in good cholesterol and, as a result, in cardiovascular diseases. Moderate beer drinkers were also less likely to die of heart disease.
Beer is a rich source of dietary silicon
It helps to prevent osteoporosis and aid in the development of bone and connective tissue growth. “Beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops are richest in silicon” according to Dr. Bamforth, lead author of a new study in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.
Silicon also helps protect your brain from compounds thought to cause Alzheimer’s and dementia. Beer drinkers are 23% less likely to develop these diseases.
Beer cleans your teeth.
Beer keeps a bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease from forming and growing on your teeth.
Beer may reduce inflammation.
Consumption of hops in beer form interfered with inflammation causing compounds.
Finally, beer actually has as many antioxidants as wine does, and more protein and vitamin B. Drinking craft beer in moderation does have its benefits. If you want to grab the benefits of beer then you can visit the best liquor store in Avon, Colorado where you can get the best quality of beer.
The Benefits of Red Wine: Do They Outweigh The Risks?
If you’re like me, red wine is pretty much the answer to everything. Stressed out after a long day at work? Time to open up a bottle! Celebrating a special holiday, promotion, or just the fact that you survived another week? A glass of red wine, it is! Depressed because of that huge pile of bills on the table? Might as well spend that last $20 in your pocket on a bottle of red wine to make you feel better!
Much like how we use the antioxidants in chocolate as an excuse to down an entire bag of Dove chocolates in one sitting (not that I ever have…), many of us use the benefits of red wine and the fact that it’s considered “healthy” as an excuse to indulge—and often overindulge. And while there’s certainly nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional glass or two of merlot, do the health benefits of red wine actually outweigh the bad stuff that comes with drinking alcohol?
Pour a glass and settle in—in this article, we’ll take a look at what the science says and determine the truth about the benefits of red wine.
1. Red wine has polyphenols and is connected to health benefits…sort of
Ever since the media got ahold of the first study proclaiming the benefits of red wine, it’s been a nonstop media firestorm. From killing cancer to curing diabetes, it seems like it’s practically impossible to go a week without hearing about another new superpower of red wine.
Most of the hype surrounds a specific polyphenol known as resveratrol, which acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals and squashing disease. There’s a pretty extensive body of research looking at all the promising benefits that come with resveratrol:
Resveratrol supplementation has been shown to improve glycemic control, hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, and total cholesterol in a 2012 randomized controlled trial.
In patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, supplementing with resveratrol had similar effects: it decreased LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, plus improved insulin resistance and the metabolism of glucose.
A recent animal study showed that resveratrol was able to stop the growth of ovarian cancer cells in mice and reduce tumor size. Another study confirmed the anti-cancer effects of resveratrol; it induced cell death and altered the progression of the cell cycle for breast cancer cells.
Another animal study found that long-term resveratrol supplementation was able to decrease the amount of structural and functional deterioration in congestive heart failure.
There’s a catch, though. Most of the research looks just at the effects of resveratrol alone by studying resveratrol supplementation instead of red wine. So even though resveratrol may be good for you, we can’t really jump to the conclusion that red wine as a whole is good for you just because of one ingredient. This makes those claims about the benefits of red wine a little questionable.
Many of the studies are also either short-term or animal studies. So while it may be great for you if you have whiskers and a tail, it’s hard to say if it’s generalizable to the rest of us. Plus, these studies are looking at the effects of a very concentrated dose of resveratrol. Some estimates suggest that to get that same amount of resveratrol through red wine, you’d have to be drinking 1,000 liters per day.
And let’s be honest here, even though red wine is good, it just doesn’t stack up against not dying from alcohol poisoning. So, yes, there are definite benefits to resveratrol, but you’re better off taking a supplement than using it as an excuse to drink red wine.
2. The French Paradox could be connected to the benefits of red wine (or a million other things)
Back in the 1950’s, researcher Ansel Keys launched the Seven Countries Study. He was looking at the lifestyles and diet patterns of individuals from seven countries around the world, including the Netherlands, Japan, Greece, Yugoslavia, Italy, Finland, and the USA.
He found that their diet had a big impact on their risk of heart disease. He noticed that Mediterranean regions, in particular, had a low risk of cardiovascular disease, which he attributed to a healthier diet pattern, physical activity, and moderate alcohol consumption. Fast forward about 70 years and the same still holds true; people in Mediterranean regions have a lower incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) than western countries, despite eating lots of butter and cheese (aka saturated fat), plus copious amounts of red wine.
This enigma came to be dubbed the “French Paradox” after French epidemiologists took note of the low CHD rates in France in the 1980’s . But even though the benefits of red wine took a lot of the credit here, it’s important to note a few things.
First of all, drinking patterns definitely play a role. In France, alcohol consumption is pretty consistent throughout the week with only a slight increase during the weekends, meaning they’re probably just enjoying a glass of alcohol with their evening meal.
Meanwhile, over in Northern Ireland, one study showed that 66% of alcohol intake is consumed on Fridays and Saturdays. One can only imagine what they’re up to, but I think it’s safe to say that they’re probably having more than just a glass or two at the dinner table.
So how does that translate to heart disease?
Though moderate alcohol consumption doesn’t have much of a negative effect when it comes to the heart, binge drinking does. One study found that light to moderate alcohol use was not associated with any increased risk of stroke, whereas having more than 2 drinks per day was. Plus, there are a lot of other factors at play. Besides red wine, there are all kinds of lifestyle differences that could account for that drop in heart disease risk.
Cultural and lifestyle differences, for example, could be responsible for part of it. After all, countries like Italy and France have some of the most generous paid leave policies in the world, offering 31 guaranteed days of vacation per year. The United States, on the other hand, clocks in at about 67% of that, with most companies guaranteeing about 21 days—though there’s no legal obligation to guarantee any at all.
Since stress is a pretty common culprit when it comes to heart disease, it’s probably not that much of a stretch to assume that more vacation days = less stress = less heart disease. But, again, it really could be anything. So it’s hard to say for sure what’s behind the “French Paradox,” but we can say that there’s just not enough evidence to link it solely to red wine.
3. Forget the dreaded “beer belly”…red wine can cause weight gain too!
I have bad news, and you might just want to sit down for it. I know it’s shocking, but like all good things in life, red wine comes with calories. A 5-ounce glass of red wine clocks in at about 125 calories, which may not seem like a lot, but it can add up over time. If you’re drinking two glasses a day, for example, that’s 1750 calories a week. If you’re not modifying your diet or exercise regimen to account for that, you could be looking at a 1-pound weight gain every 2 weeks.
The big problem is that, unlike food, red wine doesn’t really contribute any nutrients to the diet. So while 125 calories of things like fruits, veggies, legumes, or whole grains bring fiber, protein, and complex carbs, 125 calories of wine just brings, well, 125 calories.
Does that mean that you have to cut it out completely if you’re trying to be healthy? No! But you do need to account for it in your diet, keep it in moderation, and make sure the rest of your diet is solid.
4. Drinking alcohol comes with risks
Alcohol content in wine ranges from under 12.5% in some types to over 14.5% in others.
The problem?
Over time, excessive alcohol intake can definitely have an impact on your health. And if you’re drinking the aforementioned 1,000 liters of red wine per day, you’ll probably start to see those effects sooner rather than later! Heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, and certain types of cancer are just a few of the problems that can crop up with prolonged alcohol use.
In fact, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified alcohol as “carcinogenic to humans,” putting it in the same class as formaldehyde, sulfur mustard, and tobacco when it comes to cancer. Alcohol consumption is also associated with some other not-so-great stuff, like drunk driving, domestic violence, sexual assault, and drug use.
5. But drinking alcohol could also come with benefits
Alcohol isn’t all bad, though. Believe it or not, there’s actually some research showing that there could even be potential health benefits to drinking alcohol—in moderation, of course.
A 2015 meta-analysis showed that moderate amounts of alcohol decreased fasting insulin and hemoglobin A1C for subjects without diabetes. It also was able to improve insulin sensitivity, but only for women.
Other studies have shown a beneficial effect of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular disease, noting that wine and beer can have a cardioprotective effect thanks to their polyphenol content.
A meta-analysis published in BMJ demonstrated that alcohol consumption increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol, estimating that about 30 grams of alcohol per day (~2 glasses of red wine) could slash the risk of coronary heart disease by almost 25% .
It’s hard to say how beneficial those effects actually are, though. In 2016, the UK’s Guidelines Development Group issued a report noting that the health benefits of alcohol are likely only applicable to a very small portion of the population—namely, women over age 55.
Bottom Line: there’s no need to give up the red wine, but moderation is key
In the end, the health benefits of red wine are probably overhyped and unrealistic. Sure, some of the components of red wine do come with some health benefits…but they’re probably not impactful enough to use as an excuse to polish off an entire bottle. Moderate drinking is defined as no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 per day for men. A 5-oz serving size of wine makes up one serving of alcohol.
So to be clear, red wine in moderation is totally fine. But drink it because you enjoy it and not because you’re after the health benefits that supposedly come with it. You can taste the best red wine at a liquor store in Avon, Colorado, where you can witness huge stock of different types of wines.
Can you drink yourself pretty? In April 2015, Japanese brewing company Suntory launched a new light beer called Precious that contains two grams of collagen in each can. Suntory claims that drinking collagen — a naturally occuring protein that gives skin its elasticity — will make you look younger. When injected, collagen does reduce signs of aging by making skin look plump and smoothing out lines and wrinkles. But there is no scientific evidence that drinking collagen will make you look prettier; in fact, because collagen is a protein, your digestive system will just break it down before it even has a chance to reach your skin.
So collagen-infused beer may not be the fountain of youth, but regular beer does come with many surprising health benefits, from brightening your smile to heading off dementia. While you may hear more about the healthy effects of red wine, beer is just as rich in beneficial chemicals called polyphenols.
Here are eight healthy reasons to enjoy a brewsky once in a while:
Beer Fights Inflammation
Hops, the female flowers of the hop plant, give beer its tangy, bitter taste. These bright green buds are also chock-full of chemicals known as bitter acids, which have an array of health-promoting effects. Bitter acids are powerful inflammation fighters, according to a 2009 laboratory study published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. One type of bitter acid, humulone, offers promise for both preventing and treating viral respiratory infections in a 2013 study funded by Japanese beer manufacturer Sapporo.
Beer Aids Digestion
Bitter acids in beer may also improve digestion. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry looked at five types of German and Austrian beer and found that each triggered the release of gastric acid from stomach cells. The more bitter acids a brew contained, the greater the response. Gastric acid is key for both digesting food in the stomach and controlling the growth of dangerous gut bacteria.
Beer May Prevent Some Cancers
Lots of chemicals found in beer have shown promise in preventing or even treating cancer — although studies so far have been in Petri dishes and rodents. One type of bitter acid, lupulone, wiped out tumors in rats with colon cancer who consumed it in their drinking water, according to a 2007 study published in Carcinogenesis. Xanthohumol, another beer ingredient, also looks promising. A 2010 study by an Austrian research team found that xanthohumol shut down abnormal cell growth and prevented DNA damage in rats exposed to cancer-causing chemicals. The researchers say xanthohumol is likely to be good for humans too, since its cancer-fighting effects were seen at relatively low doses — equivalent to what people would get with moderate beer consumption.
Beer Builds Bones
Beer is a great source of silicon, which is important for building and maintaining healthy bones. In fact, the form of this mineral that’s found in beer, orthosilicic acid, is extra easy for the body to metabolize, according to a 2013 report in the International Journal of Endocrinology. If you’re looking for a brew that will build your bones, try an India pale ale. IPAs and other beers with lots of malted barley and hops are the best beer sources of silicon, according to a 2010 report from University of California, Davis researchers.
Beer Is Heart-Healthy
Huge studies have found a 25 percent lower risk of heart disease in people who drink from one-half to two drinks daily, compared to abstainers. And alcoholic beverages that are rich in polyphenols — think beer! — may be especially good for the heart, according to a 2012 research review.
Beer has benefits for people who already have heart disease, as well as for healthy folks. Men who had survived a heart attack were nearly half as likely to die over the next 20 years if they drank a couple of beers a day, Harvard researchers reported in 2012.
Beer ‘Polishes’ Your Teeth
That slimy stuff that collects on your teeth if you haven’t brushed in a while? It’s called biofilm, and beer can keep it from forming — and even help get rid of it. UK researchers tested the effects of several plant-derived extracts on bacteria that form biofilm and promote tooth decay and gum disease. Even the weakest extract of beer tested blocked the activity of bacteria associated with gum disease and tooth decay in the study, published in 2012 in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology. In fact, for wiping out biofilm, beer beat out black-tea, raspberry, and all other extracts tested. It was also among the best for blocking communication among dental-disease-causing bacteria.
Beer Protects Brain Cells
Xanthohumol — that chemical found in beer that can shrink liver tumors in rats — can also protect brain cells from oxidative damage, according to a 2015 study from China. Austrian researchers reported in 2013 that xanthohumol and other beer ingredients promoted the growth and development of neurons — in the lab.
Beer Prevents Kidney Stones
A study in nearly 200,000 patients published in 2013 showed that while sugary soda and punch boosted kidney-stone risk, beer drinking reduced the likelihood of kidney stone formation by 60 percent. “Our study suggests that beer consumption is associated with reduced risk of forming stones in three large U.S. cohorts,” says Pietro Manuel Ferraro, MD, of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.
Whether you’re looking for your favorite Colorado beer, or you’d like to try something new, the liquor stores in Avon, CO has one of the largest selection of wine and spirits. There you will find knowledgeable staff who will be happy to help you find the perfect beverage.
3 Classic garnish ideas to elevate your holiday drinks
You probably don’t know this about me but I’m a crazy person when it comes to entertaining and not in the cute way. I love to have people over and serve them the best alcohol that i usually bring from the best liquor store in Avon, Colorado.
I like to set things up in advance and then let the party flow organically. Basically I’m all over the map which is way I like to pick a few things that are easy and then do them up right. It satisfies my need for a photo worthy gathering while also not having to be in the spotlight all night.
One of my favorite things to do is to dress up the drinks, whether that is canned cocktails or booze-free sparkling waters. Adding a garnish immediately elevates any drink and sends us the signal that something special is happening. As cliche as it sounds, this year more than ever, focusing on the little things is a simple way to bring joy to yourself and to the people you are (responsibly) spending time with this holiday season.
So for the next few weeks I’m going to bring you some of my favorite drink garnish ideas. Remember you can use these on adult beverages, La Croixs, Diet Cokes, whatever floats your boat. The idea is just too add a little something extra.
To kick us off, this week I’m focusing on a few classic garnishes. Take these ideas and make them your own and then come back next week for decadent dessert garnishes that are a totally different way to make your drinks special.
But first, the classics…
Classic: Cherry + lime
This might be the most classic garnish combo on the planet – especially when you use these bright red maraschino cherries. The lime + cherry color combination is perfect for the holidays and it is a pretty versatile garnish that will work on a lot of drinks.
To garnish the canned drink below I cut a decently thick slice of lime into quarters to get a wedge and topped it off with a cherry.
Pro tip: If you are using a Swizzly for cans, make sure you attach the Swizzly to you can first and then slide the garnish on second. The garnish + drink marker will stay in place while you sip your drink.
There are so many ways to mix it up when you are using cherries and lime as your garnish. You can use dark morello cherries that you can get in a jar from Trader Joes for a richer cherry flavor. You could use bourbon cherries for an adult alternative – your local liquor store probably has some pre-made or you could even make your own. Plus, you can slice your limes in a variety of ways to change up the look.
Pro tip: If you want to use a full lime wheel, make sure to cut it super thin so it will be flexible enough to bend into place. To replicate my lime wheel garnish, slide your Swizzly through the lime wedge right next to the rind, keeping it near the pointed end for now. (You’ll gently moving the lime plus cherry up the stick as you go.) Slide your cherry on next and then wrap the lime wheel around the back side of the cherry, poking the Swizzly through again right next to the rind to hold the whole thing in place.
I like to pre-make several garnishes in advance that way they are ready to pop into drinks as soon as people arrive. It’s fun to have different arrangements of the same garnish and you can have more pieces precut and available in case someone wants to diy their own.
It sounds like a mixed message: Drinking alcohol may offer some health benefits, especially for your heart. On the other hand, alcohol may increase your risk of health problems and damage your heart.
So which is it? When it comes to drinking alcohol, the key is doing so only in moderation. Certainly, you don’t have to drink any alcohol, and if you currently don’t drink, don’t start drinking for the possible health benefits. In some cases, it’s safest to avoid alcohol entirely.
In moderation, alcohol can actually offer up some notable health benefits. You’ve heard over and over just how much of a downer drinking alcohol can be for your health, and attitude. But some studies have also shown that boozing on occasion has some perks.
This isn’t a green light to down six beers during your next company happy hour. But it’s nice to know that you can hit the bar and enjoy a drink or two for the sake of your well-being.
Wine
UB40 knew what they were talking about when they sang, “Red, red wine, you make me feel so fine.” Turns out a bottle of red can help with heart disease, immunity, and more.
1. Red Wine Can Actually Burn Fat
It’s true: A glass of red could help you with your weight loss efforts. A study from Oregon State University revealed that the dark red grapes found in some types of red wine can help people manage obesity and a metabolic fatty liver, due to a chemical called ellagic acid. This chemical slows down the growth of fat cells and stops new ones from being created, which boosts the metabolism of fatty acids in liver cells.
2. Alcohol Can Help Fight Colds
We’re not giving the okay to drink during a cold, but getting in the habit of drinking moderately can help prevent one. Two past studies found that the antioxidants in red wine can help you reduce your risk of a cold by a shocking 60 percent.
3. Red Wine is Beneficial to Your Heart
Previous research has proved that wine is great for heart health, but a recent study that compared pinot noir to vodka found that red wins. Researchers fed vodka and wine to two out of three groups of pigs along with a high fat diet for seven weeks. And while both groups that had vodka and wine both saw cardiovascular benefits, pinot noir’s antioxidants, high resveratrol content, and pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties made the alcoholic beverage the winner in this study.
4. Drinking Moderately Can Improve Sexual Function in Men
Scientists from the University of Western Australia found that wine drinkers experienced lower rates of erectile dysfunction than those who don’t drink. And the lower rate was significant, too: 25-30 percent! What’s the reason you ask? Well, the heart-healthy antioxidants present in wine may deserve all the credit.
5. And for Women, It Offers Libido-Boosting Powers
Women who drank one to two glasses of vino had heightened sexual desire, compared to ladies who didn’t down any vino, a Journal of Sexual Medicine study found. What makes the elixir so beneficial is a rich antioxidant profile that triggers nitric oxide production in the blood, which relaxes artery walls. This increases blood flow down south, creating feelings of sexual excitement.
6. Red Wine Can Boost Your Memory
Ever notice how wine nights with your friends always end with a trip down memory lane? Well, this study could shed some light on that scenario. A 2015 study done by Texas A&M University found resveratrol, a compound found in the skin of red grapes, can improve memory and cognitive function in rats. So, next time you accidentally bring up an embarrassing story of one of your friends, just blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol.
7. Wine Can Make You Live Longer
If you look forward to that glass of wine or two every evening, there’s no need to give up the habit. In one review of 24 studies, researchers noted that women who drink a glass of wine every day have a lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who booze less frequently.
8. Vino Can Boost Your Vaccine’s Effects
Ordering a glass of wine to your meal can work in your favor during cold and flu season. A study published in Vaccine suggest that drinking wine with dinner a few times a week can help enhance the effects of vaccines. Researchers gave 12 monkeys small pox vaccines, then gave them access to either 4 percent ethanol or sugar water with the same amount of calories (the control group). They tracked the monkeys’ alcohol consumption for 14 months, vaccinating them again after the first seven months. Although the monkeys all responded to the first vaccine similarly, the moderate drinkers of the test group saw increased vaccine response than both the non-drinkers and heavy drinkers after the second.
9. White Wine Is Weight-Loss Friendly
It seems that red wine gets all the credit for being healthy, but fear not, white wine lovers; there’s been previous evidence that supports white wine as the better option for weight loss. A study also found that white wine’s phenols have a higher antioxidant count than the ones found in red.
10. A Glass of Cab Could Enhance Your Workout
Or any type of red wine for that matter. Research published in the Journal of Physiology found that the resveratrol found in most red wines can enhance exercise performance; improve muscle strength and heart function—all benefits similar to endurance training.
If you want to enjoy these benefits of alcohol then visit a liquor store in Avon, CO where you can get best quality of alcohol to keep you healthy.
Many people look forward to a refreshing cold beer after a hard day’s work. Unfortunately, while a bottle of beer is relaxing and refreshing, too much beer causes various health problems. So, should you still drink beer? Does it offer any health benefits?
Is Beer Good For You?
When taken in moderation, this favorite drink can be good for you. Beer actually contains various nutrients. Beer is made from barley, yeast, hops, and water. It’s fat-free and cholesterol-free, and it contains magnesium, fiber, potassium, phosphorus, selenium, chromium, phosphorus, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid. So, it’s not surprising that beer offers numerous health benefits.
Here are 8 health benefits of beer that we thought would be good for beer lovers to know!
8 Health Benefits of Beer
#1 Treats Respiratory Infections
Beer contains hops that give it the bitter taste. Hops contain bitter acids which are anti-inflammatory, and it can help prevent and treat respiratory infections.
#2 Facilitates Better Digestion
Bitter acids in beer help with the release of gastric acid from stomach cells. This acid helps with food digestion, and it controls the growth of bacteria in the stomach.
#3 Prevents Some Cancers
Beer contains chemicals that can help prevent or treat cancer. Xanthohumol, a beer ingredient, can prevent abnormal cell growth which causes cancer.
#4 Helps Strengthen Bones
Beer contains orthosilicic acid, a type of silicon, which is crucial to building healthy bones. This form of silicon is easy to metabolize.
#5 Great for the Cardiovascular System
Beer lowers the risk of heart disease by 25% in people who drink a half to two drinks daily. Beer contains polyphenols, which can help with weight management and reduce cholesterol.
People who have suffered from heart attacks are half as likely to die if they drink a beer or two a day.
Obviously, you have to drink in moderation and be aware of your beer consumption on a daily basis.
#6 Cleanses and Polishes Your Teeth
Your teeth develop biofilm, a slimy stuff that collects when you fail to brush your teeth. Even the weakest beer extract can still block bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum diseases.
#7 Protects Brain Cells
Beer contains Xanthohumol, a chemical that can help protect brain cells from damage.
#8 Prevents Growth of Kidney Stones
A study conducted by the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome shows that beer can help reduce the likelihood of kidney stone growth.
How Much Beer is Good for Your Health?
A refreshing beer is a perfect way to end a day, and it offers numerous health benefits from preventing cardiac diseases to eliminating the growth of kidney stones. Beer needs to be consumed in moderation, so you are able to enjoy some of the health benefits that it offers.
But how much beer is good for you?
Moderate consumption is one 12 ounce of beer a day for women and two 12-ounce bottles for men.
So, whether you’re hanging out with friends or enjoying a party, do not hesitate to drink a beer or two – as long as it’s moderated. For the best quality beer reach out to your nearby Avon, CO liquor store.
The world has always been spectacularly divided when it comes to beer or wine. Which do you prefer? There’s no accounting for taste, but these drinks offer subtle differences that can affect your body and health.
So, wine vs. beer – which is better? Which one do you prefer? Is beer more fattening? How does beer affect your health compared to wine?
Which Can Get You Drunk Quickly?
Inebriation depends on the types of beer or wine that you’re drinking. Although a pint of lager has the same alcohol content as a medium glass of wine, wine enters the bloodstream quicker than beer. Wine can peak after 54 minutes of drinking, while beer can peak 62 minutes after drinking.
Wine contains 3.2 times more alcohol.You will need to drink 2250 ml of beer to get the same alcohol that wine contains. This means you will feel inebriated more quickly with wine.
Which Drink Has More Calories?
A pint of beer has about 180 calories, which is roughly equal to a slice of pizza. It has 50% more energy content than a glass of wine. You can pile on the pounds if you drink several bottles of beer a day.
However, for moderate drinks, the difference between a pint of beer and a glass of wine is quite minimal. Neither wine or beer drinkers could put on a lot of weight over a short period of time with moderate consumption.
Why Drink Beer?
Hops have been proven to help treat anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia as well as other sleep disturbances. It contains the values of fiber, vitamin B, folate, protein, and niacin. Hops can also help strengthen your bones and bone mineral density.
The drawback to drinking beer includes dehydration, heartburn, hangovers, and dependency. Prolonged and excessive beer consumption can also result in liver damage. Beer is not helpful if you are trying to cut back on carb consumption.
Although the calories do add up with beer consumption, this drink offers nutritional value. So much so, that this widely consumed beverage is considered good for your health when taken in moderation.
Why Drink Wine?
5 ounces of red wine contains just about 125 calories. A glass of red wine contains about 187 mg of potassium and a significant amount of fiber. It also contains resveratrol, which helps fight the effects of aging. It also contains flavonoids which help protect your skin against UV rays.
On the other hand, white wine can be acidic, which can take a toll on your teeth’s enamel. Red wine can also trigger migraine attacks. Excessive amounts can cause dehydration, hangovers, dependency, and liver damage. It can also elevate your triglycerides, which can then result in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease.
Lesser calorie content doesn’t translate immediately to a much healthier drink. Moderate consumption of red wine is good for your heart, but beer offers the same benefits. At the end of the day, if you have to choose between wine and beer, your choice will depend on your taste. Regardless of your choice, you need to remember to drink moderately. You can buy the best quality beer and wine from the liquor stores in Avon, Colorado.
Paul Williams 