For those so inclined, the holidays are often a time when spirits are plentiful – and I’m not talking about the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Alcohol flows freely around the holidays, whether it’s champagne on New Year’s Eve, or wine with Thanksgiving dinner, or a shot of Jack Daniels to help calm frazzled nerves when visiting relatives have overstayed their welcome.
Finally, scientists are finding that it’s not only OK to down a couple martinis to get you through the office holiday party, but it could be good for your health.
An article that appeared recently on msnbc.com from SELF Magazine suggests that alcohol can help your heart, your pancreas and your joints. The article also suggests women who down a few drinks have better overall health than women who don’t. In other words, you’re cheating yourself if you turn down a glass of merlot.
With alcohol being considered as a preventative medicine, America’s bartenders and liquor store owners may soon be considered primary care providers. People who hate going to the doctor will be more than willing to go for their annual checkup at the neighborhood pub. There may also be a tremendous sigh of relief from holiday imbibers who can tell chiding spouses that they’re simply following doctor’s orders when having another spiked egg nog.
Of course, like any of the other seemingly endless scientific health studies that are printed each year, there are caveats. The key to all of this is moderation, which generally is considered to be just a drink a day.
That means going to the bar isn’t considered a workout. It also means that just because one drink might be healthy, chugging a six-pack after work won’t make you a health nut.
So as the onslaught of holiday parties, family get-togethers or tailgating for college football bowl games reaches a crescendo, keep in mind that too much health can be a bad thing.
--Scott Samples
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