Whether it’s one relaxing glass of red wine or a fancy cocktail, drinking alcohol can come with both delights and dangers. In moderation, it brings some surprising health benefits. In excess, some bad decisions and a brutal hangover. To help prepare you for the booziest night of the year, here are some facts you need to know about what’s sloshing around in your glass.
- Need to think outside the box? Drinking alcohol helps boost creative problem solving.
- Routinely hitting up happy hour can screws with your fitness goals more than you think.
- Beer goggles are a scientifically proven phenomenon (and completely legit excuse).
- Dark liquors cause worse hangovers than clear ones.
- People with mold allergies might feel more hungover after drinking red wine.
- Taking a liver health supplement before drinking can prep your body and reduce your risk of a hangover.
- Regular drinkers get 16 percent of their total calories from alcohol.
- Sugar in alcohol and mixers causes a blood sugar crash the next morning, which is why you crave calorie-dense, aka fatty, foods.
- Red wine is effective at killing bacteria that causes cavities.
- Research shows a link between alcohol and allergies — so if you’re extra congested, try cutting out booze during allergy season.
- The flesh, skin and seeds of grapes contain melatonin, which might be why wine makes you a little sleepy.
- It’s almost impossible to eyeball one 5-ounce (a serving size) glass of wine.
- It might help you fall alseep faster, but drinking before bed can actually lead to a poorer night’s sleep overall.
- Our favorite: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with better heart health and longer life. Bottoms up!
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