Doctors, nurses and frontline workers regularly used whiskey to safeguard themselves from influenza. Some physicians believed whiskey helped stimulate the heart and respiratory system that are weakened by illness, while others thought that its sedating effect brought some comfort to the patients.
Whiskey can temporarily widen your blood vessels. In small amounts, this can help clear mucus congestion in your sinuses and chest, which lets your body better deal with sickness and infection. This effect may also relieve other symptoms of a cold or flu, like coughing or wheezing.
Whiskey is an effective decongestant. The alcohol dilates the blood vessels. The steam from the hot beverages works with the decongestant benefits of the alcohol and makes it easier for the mucus membranes to deal with nasal congestion. Whiskey can also relieve aching muscles and soothe a sore throat.
It turns out the olden days' practice of using whiskey as an antiseptic was not just for (cinematic) show. A study published in the Annals of Microbiology shows that whiskey kills bacteria and can help keep infection at bay.
In 1916 whiskey and brandy were removed from the list of scientifically approved medicines in The Pharmacopeia of the United States of America. In 1917 the American Medical Association even voted, in a contentious meeting, in effect to support prohibition.
Ethanol is a commonly used medical alcohol.
Antiseptic
If you're feeling the need to prove your (wo)manliness, pour some whiskey on it to kill the topical germs (or you can wash it off with clean water). After cleaning your wound, you can use the whiskey to sterilize any instruments you may need to use to close the laceration.
Although it's usually better to stick to a mouthwash that's actually made for this purpose, whiskey can work in a pinch. The alcohol in whiskey kills off the bacteria in your mouth and on your teeth, so it's better than nothing if you run out of your favorite name-brand rinse.
If you have cuts or wounds, it is best not to use alcohol to clean the area as it can harm the tissue and delay the healing process. Although alcohol can hamper bacterial activity at the site of injury, it can burn the healthy skin cells.
As well as having an actively positive effect on the body, whisky is also the healthiest alcohol you can drink. It contains no fat and hardly any sugar or carbohydrates. It barely alters the level of sugar in your blood, making it a better choice for diabetics than other alcohol.
Hot Toddy ingredients such as whiskey contain a high amount of alcohol that functions as a vasodilator, opening blood vessels to let the blood pass through. This alcoholic drink helps your muscles relax and relieves common cold symptoms like a sore throat.
It's whiskey, and here's why science says it's good for your cough. A Carnegie Mellon study showed that moderate drinkers had increased resistence to viral infections. While booze won't heal you, small amounts of liquor can help relieve the symptoms of sore throats, muscle pain, congestion and sleeplessness (duh).
Is whisky good for fat loss? Yes, but only when used as a substitute for another alcoholic drink that contains more calories. If you drink 60 ml of neat whisky instead of a rum and coke, a gin and tonic, or a cocktail with hundreds of calories in, you'll find that you start to lose weight as a result.
The barbiturate effect of the alcohol can reduce stress, and also has sedative properties to help you sleep if you're experiencing anxiety. This is why whiskey is a classic choice of nightcap for badasses the world over.
As with any other type of alcohol, whiskey is believed by many to have mild to moderately beneficial effects when consumed in moderation. This means drinking no more than 3oz of whiskey per day for men (2 shots of whiskey) and 1.5oz per day for women (1 shot of whiskey), with no additional alcoholic drinks.
Alcohol, especially large amounts and high concentrations, can overwhelm the gastrointestinal tract. The alcohol kills many of the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines. Our body needs these bacteria as they support a healthy gut microbiome and many critical processes.
Because alcohol has such a distinct smell, your dentist can tell if you are a heavy drinker. People who drink also tend to have drier mouths than people who don't because it interferes with the production of the salivary glands.
Whiskey is a Digestion Aid
The high proof whiskey stimulates the stomach's enzymes, which help to break down food. This benefit makes whiskey an excellent part of your next happy hour.
Rubbing alcohol is a clear liquid made up of approximately 70% denatured ethanol or isopropanol, and it is used topically in medical settings to clean injection or surgical sites. It's highly effective due to its chemical properties, which break down the fat-based external membranes of bacteria, killing them.
Heart health
Booze can thin your blood. That means a daily shot of the good stuff might lower your risk of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks. Plus, small amounts of whiskey can raise HDL levels in your bloodstream which may help prevent heart disease.
The hot toddy has been around for centuries, and for good reason. Besides being a warm and tasty cocktail, the hot toddy is known for its medicinal benefits. Most recipes combine whiskey, or bourbon, with hot water, a spoonful of honey and a slice of lemon.
Many people still turn to the use of alcohol for pain relief due to its ability to depress the central nervous system. By slowing down the brain and nervous system, alcohol delivers a certain amount of relief.
Brandy is rich in antioxidants, whereas whiskey is good in terms of low carbs, sugar, and fat. Naturally, whiskey is a better choice for diabetics who are chiefly concerned with keeping their blood sugar levels in check.