“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” – Mark Twain. 

And the man was right. 

Did you know that bourbon has no carbs, no fat, and is extremely low on sugar content? 

Add to that the fact that it comes with antioxidants that help counter the free radicals in our body, and you’ve got yourself a solution that is way better than ‘an apple a day’. 

A swig, or two, of some fine Bourbon is known to calm the nerves, relax your mind and even improve the blood circulation up there.   

According to a Harvard study, can actually help protect against type-2 diabetes. 

When whiskey is aged in wooden barrels, aside from getting its amber-golden hue, it also obtains something called ellagic acid which controls the amount of glucose your liver releases and regulates your insulin levels. 

Slowing down the production of glucose in the liver keeps your blood sugar in check and is known to reduce chances of diabetes by 30-40%. 

Unlike your beer, bourbon won’t give you any belly fat. Whiskey has zero to low calorie and carb count which prevents unwanted weight gain and the low sugar count is known to break down and convert into energy your body uses. 

And what’s more? Due to its distillation process, whiskey happens to be gluten-free. 

Your good cholesterol – also known as, high-density lipoprotein or HDL – increases when you drink whiskey. 

This HDL further also prevents the creation of and an unhealthy build up of bad cholesterol in your system, which could lead to a condition called Atherosclerosis. Bourbon, thereby, balances out and keeps your cholesterol levels in check. 

Drinking whiskey once a week gives your body an antioxidant boost that also prevents chances of coronary heart disease. Whiskey also absorbs harmful phenolic compounds from your body, faster than wine! 

A study by the European Journal, led by Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen, revealed that single malt provides the largest concentration of antioxidants. 

The ellagic acid in bourbon works to stop our DNA from coming in contact with cancer-causing compounds, like nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. 

Ellagic acid contains antioxidants that not only fight the free radicals in our body; but also prevent the forming of such radicals. 

According to Jim Swan, a celebrated whiskey industry consultant, “It (whiskey) contains more ellagic acid as wine, which helps absorb rogue cells in the body.”  

According to a scientific study published by the National Institute of Health, in 2003, the antioxidants present in bourbon boosts your cognitive performance, as well as lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s or Dementia. 

The study further revealed that adults who consume between 1 to 6 portions of Bourbon in a week, are half as likely as non- and heavy-drinkers to suffer from dementia. 

Bourbon is loaded with antioxidants that boost your immunity by preventing you from contracting viruses and diseases. 

It also helps prevent free radicals from damaging the cells in your body and therefore, fights premature ageing and increases your lifespan.   

Blood clots prevent the flow of blood supply to the brain which leads to an ischemic stroke. These can further result in issues, like thrombosis and heart attacks. 

Drinking bourbon keeps the blood circulation to the brain intact and ensures that there are no clots and blockages; further preventing any dangerous health ramifications. 

While brandy and toddy are equally good – if not better – for colds, Bourbon whiskey too has certain properties that help to prevent common colds, or even counter them. 

According to Dr. William Schaffner, Chairman of Preventative Medicine at Vanderbilt University, whiskey dilates blood vessels, making it easier for mucus membranes to deal with the infection. 

Bourbon, when consumed in a mild amount is a well known aid in better digestion. 

The composition, along with the high alcohol percentage make it an effective appetite suppressant that works well post a meal and prevents indigestion. 

While almost all kinds of alcoholic beverages are bound to leave you with a splitting hangover, beer included, Bourbon is known to leave you with a milder hangover than most. 

Studies have revealed that whiskey drinkers tend to have the least amount of hangover symptoms and revive quicker than most other alcohol drinkers. 

So, in case someone tells you to put down the bourbon next time, we just gave you 12 reasons not to. Not like you needed one anyway.