Is liquor better than milk for good health? Yes. Government agency shows that it’s true. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) facts prove that liquor is better than milk for health.

Source:  USDA National Nutrient Database

In fact, abstaining from alcohol actually reduces health. And abstainers who begin to drink reduce their chance of cardiovascular diseases. For more, see Alcohol and Health.

Drinking alcohol reduces the risk of heart and vascular diseases. That’s the leading cause of death. But wouldn’t eating a good diet, exercising, and losing weight do the same thing?

No. The average person would need to follow a low fat, no salt diet. Regularly exercise vigorously. Lose substantial weight. And probably need meds to lower lower both bad cholesterol and blood pressure.

There’s a myth that red wine is the beneficial drink. But it’s the alcohol that provides the main benefits. And standard drinks of beer, wine, and  spirits have the same amount of pure alcohol. Here’s the “proof.”

Diseases

Moderate alcohol drinking reduces the chances of getting the following diseases, among others.

• • Abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Asthma and lung disease
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Common cold
  • Depression
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Essential tremors
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Heart disease and heart attack
  • Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Hypertension or high blood pressure
  • Intermittent claudication
  • Kidney disease
  • Kidney stones
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Osteoporosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Peripheral artery disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Senility, including Alzheimer’s disease
  • Stress
  • Stroke
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Thyroid disease

Cancer

Moderate drinking is linked with increased risk of several cancers. These include breast, mouth and throat cancers. The latter two are rare.

Women can reduce the risk of breast cancer by doing three things. One is by restricting their alcohol consumption. Another is by taking supplements of folates. Third, is by not smoking.

Drinking alcohol in moderation reduces the risk of developing kidney, non-Hodgkin, Hodgkins, and thyroid cancers. It has no impact on the risk of developing  any other cancers.

Resources: Liquor Better than Milk for Health

Web Pages

   Health

• • 12 Surprising Facts about Alcohol, Drinking & Health.
  • Drinking Reduces Heart Disease Says US Government.
  • Drinking Protective Against Coronary Heart Disease.
  • The Red Wine Health Myth.

   Weight

• • Alcohol, Calories and Weight: Surprising Facts Unknown to Most M.D.s  
  • Drinking Alcohol and Weight. You Might be Surprised!
  • Alcohol, Calories and Weight: Surprising Facts!
  • Drinking Alcohol Reduces Weight Gain (Discover More!) 
  • Calories, Carbs, and Fats in Beverages.
  • Drinking Alcohol and Weight, Obesity and BMI.

   Beverages

• • Beer is Better than Milk for Good Health & Weight. So are Wine & Distilled Spirits (Liquor).
  • Wine vs Grape Juice. Which is Better for Health & Long Life?
  • Beer vs Cola. Which Is Better for Health?

Readings/Viewing

• • Bodzak, C. Eat with Intention. NY: Race Point, 2016.
  • Katzen, M. and Willett, W. Eat, Drink & Weigh Less. N.Y: Hyperion, 2006.
  • Kent, E. Risky Drinking. NY: FMG, 2017 (eVideo).
  • Spada, M. An Introduction to Sensible Drinking. London: Robinson, 2017.
  • USDA Food Composition Databases.

At this point, you know much more about the health benefits of liquor or spirits than most people. So kudos!