Vodka, an alcoholic beverage preferred by many is a colorless, odorless and flavorless drink made up of ethanol and alcohol. A highly versatile drink, it blends with other liquids without changing or neutralizing their flavor. Vodka is prepared by the distillation of grains or plants rich in sugar or starch content such as wheat, corn, rye, potatoes, soybean etc. Apart from clear vodka, flavored vodka is also available in various flavors such as lemon, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and many more. Studies indicate that vodka has many benefits and if consumed in moderate amounts can help improve your overall health and prevent many diseases.
Benefits of vodka
Vodka is a low calorie drink without any fat or cholesterol content. To most people, vodka is just an alcoholic beverage that can be enjoyed with friends and family in parties or other occasions. However, in addition to being a hangout drink, vodka presents several health benefits and medicinal properties. Read on to know more about the amazing health benefits of vodka:
Vodka is a stress buster
When compared to other alcoholic beverages, vodka has the ability to offer better calming and relaxing effects. It has an impressive way of soothing the mind as well as in inducing sleep. According to a study published in the 1997 issue of Journal of Psychopharmacology, vodka can reduce stress more effectively than other drinks such as red wine. Another study showed that the consumption of vodka reduced the response to stressors.
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Vodka is a low calorie drink
The consumption of low calorie drinks such as vodka helps in cutting down your calorie intake, which in turn helps in losing weight. Make sure to take vodka straight without adding anything else. If you wish to mix it with something, make sure that it does not contain any sugar content as it nulls the advantage of vodka over other alcoholic drinks. So if you are trying to lose weight, incorporating vodka into your low calorie meals is a great choice.
Vodka has anesthetic properties
Vodka is a powerful anesthetic that can be used for getting relief from pain. It can be taken as a tincture or applied topically to relieve pain. Vodka can be used as a great remedy for toothaches. When toothache hits, just swish some vodka around the tooth to find relief. It helps in reducing the pain and inflammation of the affected area.
Vodka protects your heart
Drinking vodka in moderation can offer protection to your heart. It has the ability to promote the formation of collateral blood vessels, which ensures the free flow of blood. As the blood circulation improves, it reduces the risk of conditions like high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks. Moderate amount of vodka is found to lower bad cholesterol or LDL and increase the levels of good cholesterol or HDL, which helps prevent atherosclerosis and other issues related to the arteries.
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Vodka for smooth and shiny hair
In addition to the various health benefits, vodka also provides numerous beauty benefits. Washing hair with vodka helps in making hair frizz free. Vodka maintains the pH levels of the hair and ensures healthy and shiny hair. It cleanses the hair and promotes healthy hair growth. The antimicrobial properties of vodka make it a great remedy for dandruff and other scalp infections. This drink acts as a conditioner for hair and prevents hair loss. It removes product buildup from the hair strands and scalp, making your hair smooth and lustrous.
Vodka for beautiful skin
Vodka has astringent properties that make it a great remedy for skin problems. It cleanses the skin and tightens the pores, thus preventing acne and pimples. Vodka is an ingredient in many beauty products such as cleansers, anti-acne creams and ointments. It is an effective toner and helps make your skin smooth and glowing. A mixture of green tea and vodka acts as a great cleanser. To get rid of wrinkles, make a paste of vodka, fennel seeds and honey. Apply this paste on the skin and wash off after 20 minutes. This face pack is also effective in lightening your skin tone.
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Vodka as a mouth freshener
Vodka helps freshen up your breath. A mixture of vodka with essential oils such as rosemary essential oil is a great natural remedy for bad breath. Vodka has antibacterial properties that helps destroy the bacteria responsible for foul odor in the mouth. You can use vodka as a mouthwash and gargle with it to get fresh breath. More ways of treating bad breath at home here.
Vodka aids digestion
Consumption of vodka has been found to promote digestion and prevent digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome.
Vodka as a disinfectant
Vodka has disinfectant properties and can be used to clean surfaces and also wounds. It is chemical free and hence is a safe and eco-friendly choice of disinfectant. Add one part of vodka to four parts of water and use this mixture to clean countertops, floors, tiles, bathrooms etc. Undiluted vodka can help get rid of mold and mildew. Although it is not idea to use vodka to clean an open wound, it can be used to clean the area surrounding a wound to prevent infections. The vodka-water mixture can also be used as an air freshener. It can also be used on upholstery, carpets and bed lines to remove odor.
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Vodka helps freshen up your clothes
Vodka is a great remedy for freshening clothes that haven’t been washed. Just spray undiluted vodka on the clothes and allow it to dry. It can also be added to the washing machine for cleaning and disinfecting the clothes. The advantage of washing with vodka is that it not only cleanses and disinfects but also retains the color of colored clothes. Add half a cup of vodka to the washing machine once it is filled with water. Stop the washing cycle and allow the clothes to soak in the alcohol for about 15 to 20 minutes and then complete the cycle.
Vodka as a remedy for poison ivy
When your skin comes into contact with poison ivy, it causes itching and inflammation. Rubbing the affected area with vodka or pouring vodka over the affected area helps in washing away the oil that is responsible for causing the inflammation and itching. Vodka can also be used to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by jelly fish bite.
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Vodka can be used to make herbal tinctures
Vodka is often used as an ingredient in preparing herbal tinctures with dried and fresh herbs. Just like other alcoholic beverages, vodka also acts as a natural preservative. The herbal tinctures prepared from vodka and herbs are effective in treating various diseases including the common cold and flu. To prepare the herbal tincture, mix together 1 part vodka with 2 parts of fresh herbs and 5 parts vodka with 1 part dried herbs.
Vodka for preserving fresh flowers
Vodka is a great remedy for keeping cut flowers fresh and beautiful. When added to the vase, vodka inhibits the production of ethylene, which slows down the process of wilting. This in turn helps the flowers to stay fresher for longer period of time. Take 2 parts of vodka with 1 part of water in a spray bottle and spray the mixture on the flowers every day.
Vodka as an insect repellent
Straight vodka is found to be very effective in repelling insects. Take some vodka in a spray bottle and spray on your skin before going out. This helps in repelling away insects such as bees, mosquitoes etc. You can also combine essential oils such as lavender oil to get more effective results.
Vodka helps remove band-aid easily
Removing a band-aid can be a painful task. Another use of vodka is that it helps in the easy removal of band-aid. In order to remove the band-aid painlessly, first saturate it with a few drops of vodka. The alcohol dissolves the adhesive in the bandage, making it easier to be removed.
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Vodka eliminates foot odor
Vodka has antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help destroy the bacteria that can cause foot odor. Just pour a capful of vodka on your feet and rub it very onto your skin or you can soak a cloth in vodka and wipe your feet with it. Soaking your feet in a basin containing vodka is another effective way to get rid of foot odor.
Vodka for treating cold sores
Vodka is effective in relieving pain and inflammation. Dab some vodka over the cold sores using a Q-tip. This helps in drying out the sore and eliminating it. Vodka is also beneficial in eliminating blisters on the skin.
Vodka is enjoyed not only as an alcoholic drink but also for its numerous therapeutic properties that can be obtained by internal consumption as well as topical application. According to Russian folklore, vodka is capable of curing most ailments like headaches, common cold etc. In spite of the health benefits it offers, it is important to take vodka in moderation. When compared to other alcoholic beverages, vodka is a clear drink without any additives and this is one of the reasons why it is considered a beneficial drink.