Least toxic alcohol revealed - And it's not wine!
Doctor names whiskey the least toxic alcohol but points to a clear limit (photo: Freepik)
Alcohol consumption always sparks discussions about its impact on health. But if you decide to drink, which beverage is the least harmful to your body? In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Halyna Anokhina, Ukrainian gastroenterologist and nutritionist, Honored Doctor of Ukraine, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Professor, gave a clear answer, explaining why one type of alcohol is better than others and revealing the optimal dosage.
Which alcoholic drink is the least toxic and why?
According to the gastroenterologist, the least toxic alcoholic beverage is whiskey. The secret to its "advantage" lies in the production process. Whiskey is made using distilled alcohol, while most other alcoholic beverages use rectified spirit.
Rectified spirit is more purified, but it is distillation that preserves certain compounds which, according to some theories, may be less aggressive for the body than the consequences of consuming large amounts of rectified spirit.
At the same time, the expert emphasizes that even the least toxic alcohol is still alcohol. Therefore, if a person does decide to drink, the optimal choice would be 20-30 grams of whiskey. This dose causes less toxic stress on the liver and allows you to enjoy the drink without significant negative effects on the body.
What do scientific studies say about the effects of whiskey?
Studies indicate that moderate whiskey consumption helps raise levels of "good" cholesterol and reduce levels of fibrinogen, which is associated with inflammation. During the aging process, whiskey also develops the antioxidant ellagic acid, which has anti-cancer properties.
However, even moderate alcohol consumption carries risks: its ethanol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a powerful carcinogen that increases the risk of developing cancer in any part of the body, from the mouth to the liver and breast.
The World Health Organization states: "There is no safe threshold" for alcohol consumption, and even a low dose is considered a risk factor.
In addition to cancer, alcohol increases the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases, memory disorders, depression, imbalance of brain neurotransmitters, and reduces the effectiveness of the immune system. Even from the first dose, sleep changes, the body's defenses weaken, and oxidative stress processes are triggered.
Important! Whiskey may be considered less toxic compared to other strong drinks due to its pure form and low impurity content. But even though it contains ethanol, which is metabolized into the carcinogen acetaldehyde. Doctors affirm: the healthiest option is abstaining from alcohol or consuming it in extremely limited, mindful amounts.
Sources: Cancer Biology & Medicine, Wine Geek Confessions, World Health Organization website
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
