Is Vodka Healthier than Wine?

Since the beginning of time, humankind has experimented with elixirs to treat a variety of ailments. We’ve all heard that a glass of red wine a day if allegedly good for cardiovascular health, but what about vodka?

According to a study reported in Newsweek, red wine and vodka both have heart-healthy benefits. And it appears that both red wine and vodka are good for the circulatory system, in moderation.

Researchers fed pigs both red wine and vodka, and used non-alcohol as a control. Results suggested that red wine helped the pigs’ blood vessels dilate, improved circulation, and contributed to good cholesterol levels. Vodka, on the other hand, increased capillary density, which allowed more oxygen to be delivered to blood and other tissue.

Additionally, vodka has few impurities and sugars because of its repetitive distillation process, which contributes to its low calorie count. It also has no fats, sugars, sodium, cholesterol, or carbs. A 1.5-ounce shot of vodka also contains an average of about 97 calories, while the average 5-ounce glass of wine contains between 100 and 150 calories depending on alcohol content. However, vodka’s low calorie count becomes moot if it’s added to sugary mixers such as cranberry or grapefruit juice.

That said, any alcohol-related health benefits diminish rapidly after consuming more than one serving of each. The most important thing to remember is that there in no magic potion to ensure longevity. No matter what you’re drinking, your best bet is moderation.