As much as we love this time of year, our bodies often suffer. Over the holiday season, we tend to overindulge. Come January, everyone will be dieting, "detoxing" and hitting the gym hard to make up for the bad choices made over the festive season.
And while alcohol is a massive culprit for those extra centimetres around the waist, the more significant concern is what it does to your insides.
It's a fact that alcohol is more damaging to women than men. Our bodies just don't metabolise it, and it's been linked to various diseases, including breast cancer, diabetes and liver failure.
That said, the news isn't all bad. As you'll see below, some types of alcohol, when consumed in moderation, actually have some health benefits.
And other types are light enough in calories to not give you a beer belly. So choose wisely, and enjoy! And remember, the purer the drink, the fewer after-effects you'll suffer.
Just ask anyone who's ever woken up with a Crackling or Russian Bear hangover...
Here are 5 types of alcoholic drinks that are good for you (when enjoyed in moderation):
Wine
Red wine
Fine red wine has several health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease and inflammation.
New studies suggest that it can act as a buffer against Alzheimer's disease.
According to Medical Daily, it has resveratrol - a powerful antioxidant that protects against cell damage and prevents age-related mental diseases.
Sounds great, doesn't it? But that doesn't mean you should drink a bottle every day.
White wine
White wine has many of the same positive health benefits as red wine. It also co alsos antioxidant properties which can reduce the risk of getting heart disease.
According to Livestrong.com, wine contains powerful antioxidants, and during one study, mice that ingested a high-fat diet with wine had lower liver fat percentages than their teetotaling counterparts. Which almost sounds too good to be true...
Hard liquor
Vodka
Although there is little empirical evidence, most Russians firmly believe in the benefits of vodka,, including keeping the skin healthy and abetting hair growth. While that should be taken with a pinch of salt, it is a fact that vodka is an excellent disinfectant and handy in the case of toothaches.
But its main, proven benefit is the low caloric value and low sugar levels compared to drinks like rum or cane.
Brandy
Brandy contains a high concentration of antioxidants which mop up the free radicals in the body and protects the organs and tissues.
According to the Daily Mail, 30ml of brandy has the same antioxidant effect as a daily dose of vitamin C!
According to Elite Daily, tequila helps with lowering blood sugar. Some claim it also has specific components that can help with weight loss. Best thing? Apparently,, you won't get a hangover if you drink 100% pure agave tequila,. Or so they claim...
Light beer
Regular beer drinkers have been found to have lower blood pressure, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and better bone density. Still, beer consumption often goes hand in hand with weight gain. Enter light beer. You will get the same benefits of average beer - but without the pesky side effect of getting fat.
