Major health organizations, including the American Heart Association and the World Heart Federation, state that no amount of alcohol is good for the heart, and they do not recommend drinking alcohol to improve heart health. The potential risks and harms of alcohol consumption generally outweigh any perceived benefits.
Red wine, in limited amounts, has long been thought of as healthy for the heart. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks.
The "healthiest" alcohol options focus on low sugar, fewer additives, and potential antioxidants, with red wine often topping lists for its polyphenols (like resveratrol), though moderation is key. Other good choices include clear spirits (vodka, gin, tequila) mixed with water or soda water (not tonic) to keep sugar and calories low, and drinks with vegetable bases like a Bloody Mary, or lower-sugar options like hard seltzers, light beers, or dry wines.
Heart Health
Whiskey has high levels of polyphenols, plant-based antioxidants linked with lowering your risk of heart disease. The polyphenols in whiskey have been shown to decrease “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL) levels, and reduce triglycerides, or fat in your blood.
Heart-healthy drinks (other than water)
Drinks rich in nitric oxide-boosting compounds, such as beetroot juice, green tea, and pomegranate juice, help open blood vessels and enhance circulation. These drinks aid in stimulating blood flow, lowering systolic blood pressure, and reducing the risk of arterial stiffness.
Your alcohol intake matters, too. In moderate amounts, red wine is commonly linked to healthy cholesterol levels. But drinking more hard liquor, beer, mixed drinks, and excess red wine has a negative impact on your cholesterol levels.
There is some evidence that moderate amounts of alcohol might help to slightly raise levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. Researchers have also suggested that red wine, in particular, might protect the heart, thanks to the antioxidants it contains.
More recent evidence suggests that the safest amount of whiskey is none at all. Moderate consumption of whiskey is defined as: Up to one whiskey per day for women. Up to two whiskeys per day for men.
Is there a type of alcohol which is better for me if I do want to drink? No. It is the amount of alcohol consumed that affects a person most, not the type. There is no evidence that consuming spirits like Scotch Whisky responsibly causes any more harm than consuming other types of alcohol.
However, if you are going to drink, having red wine in moderation is a healthier choice than other alcoholic drinks. This is due to its high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been linked to better heart and gut health.
Both spirits have approximately the same amount of calories—around 100 per 1.5 ounces (a shot) for both 80-proof whiskey and rum, along with 14 grams of alcohol per serving. Whiskey, however, contains polyphenols, antioxidants known to decrease your risk of heart disease.
Drink water, tea, or coffee (with little or no sugar). Limit milk/dairy (1-2 servings/day) and juice (1 small glass/day). Avoid sugary drinks. The more veggies — and the greater the variety — the better.
If you have already been diagnosed with a heart condition, speak to your doctor about whether it's safe for you to drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol is a common trigger of abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation. You may find cutting down or not drinking at all can help to improve your symptoms.
There is evidence to suggest that moderate alcohol consumption, including rum, may have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. It can raise HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or "good" cholesterol, potentially reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve blood vessel function.
A nutritionist's top healthiest alcoholic drinks
The "3-2-1" drinking rule (or variations like 1-2-3 or 0-0-1-3) is a guideline for moderate alcohol consumption: 1 drink per hour (the liver's processing rate), no more than 2 drinks per occasion (or per day for some), and 3 alcohol-free days per week, or no more than 3 drinks on a single day, to promote safer habits by pacing intake and avoiding binge drinking. It helps manage Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and aligns with recommendations to reduce health risks associated with heavy drinking.
Whisky beginners don't fear – here's how to pick the best whiskies to start
Gaelic has deep routes in the history of Scotland
In Gaelic, "uisge beatha" (pronounced "ish-ka ba-ha") holds profound significance, translating to "water of life." This eloquent expression captures the very essence of whisky – an elixir that has stirred the souls of many throughout history.
Green tea's flavonoids combat oxidative stress, while sufficient water intake can reduce coronary disease risk by 50%. Pomegranate juice diminishes arterial plaque, and 2-3 cups of coffee lower cardiovascular mortality by 31%. For adults who drink alcohol, one glass of red wine offers polyphenol protection.
Patients with a weak heart muscle should avoid drinking alcohol as it may worsen their condition. Mir said alcohol is also known to be a risk factor for high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation, which puts patients at higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
Vodka helps support heart health by dilating blood vessels, improving circulation, and reducing the risk of clots, strokes, and other cardiovascular issues. Additionally, moderate consumption has been linked to higher levels of HDL (good cholesterol), providing an extra boost for your heart.
To remove cholesterol from your body, adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle by eating more soluble fiber (oats, beans, fruits) and healthy fats (olive oil, fish), exercising regularly (30 mins most days), losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol, as these changes lower bad LDL cholesterol and raise good HDL cholesterol, with some people needing medication for more severe cases.
Researchers examined how quitting or starting alcohol affected cholesterol. Their key findings include: Stopping alcohol raised LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) by:1.1 mg/dL in those drinking less than 1.5 drinks per day3.7 mg/dL in those drinking 1.5 to 3 drinks per day6.5 mg/dL in those drinking more than 3 drinks per day.
The alcoholic drinks with the least sugar are straight spirits like vodka, gin, whiskey, and tequila, as distillation removes sugar, followed by dry wines (red/white), dry sparkling wines, and hard seltzers, but always watch out for sugary mixers like juice or soda, opting for club soda or diet mixers instead.