Despite what you may think, the origins of vodka did not begin with martinis and mules. This belief is one many people have about the liquor. However, vodka was initially invented as a medicine – to be used for numerous health conditions. Drinking it in moderation today can still offer the benefits it was first produced for.

What kinds of benefits does this odorless, colorless alcoholic beverage have to offer?

7 Benefits Drinking Vodka Can Have On The Body

1. Bacteria and Germ Killer

Vodka is great for cleaning wounds and teeth (as well as your home). Many products you use have included alcohol of some type. For example, mouthwash uses a minute amount of alcohol to kill off the bacteria lingering in the mouth. Vodka does the same thing. Just take a swig of the alcohol and drink some water afterward to dilute it.

You can also use vodka to clean off your toothbrush, which could be harboring bacteria and other germs. This keeps them from being introduced into your mouth when you brush your teeth. This will also help with bad breath.

You may have noticed people using alcohol on wounds. That’s because alcohol acts as a disinfectant to protect the open sore from bacteria getting in.

Special Note: You can clean your home using vodka. Even if you dilute it in water, you still reap the benefits.

2. Stress Reliever

After a stressful day of work, many people will come home and have a glass of wine to unwind. However, vodka is a much better natural relaxant. Studies have found that vodka has sleep-inducing qualities that can slow and calm the mind down. As such, it can lower your stress levels and help you sleep.

3. Arthritic-Pain Reliever

Recent scientific studies have shown that drinking vodka can help people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis to alleviate the buildup of inflammation. It acts similarly to an ice pack placed on a swollen ankle or wrist. Drinking moderate amounts of vodka will reduce the inflammation in the body and reducing the pain sufferers can have.

4. Improves Cardiovascular Health

Vodka has properties that improve your cardiovascular health. It increases the flow and circulation of blood, which keeps clots from forming that can lead to strokes, high blood pressure and other heart problems. It also works in lowering your cholesterol levels, improving HDL levels and blood vessel development.

5. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Vodka does not contain the sugar content that is seen with wine and beer, which means people with diabetes can safely drink it (so long as it’s not added sugary beverages). While you can drink vodka straight from the bottle, it’s best for your overall health (kidneys, especially) to dilute it with water, soda or ice. If you want some flavor, add fruit to your drink to spice it up.

6. Weight Loss Aid

Vodka not only helps with your cardiovascular health, but it can also aid you in your weight loss endeavor. Even though it has around 100 calories per shot, a moderate amount of vodka has been shown to speed up the body’s metabolism.

The thought is that moderately drinking vodka affects how the body metabolizes it. The vodka may not be the only factor, as studies show that moderate vodka drinkers do participate in exercise.

7. Facial and Skin Cleaner

Vodka is a suitable alternative to using a facial cleanser, as it contains disinfectant properties that can get deep inside the pores. It will also tighten the face’s skin and dry out acne to limit breakouts. (If you have sensitive or dry skin, you may want to limit how often you use vodka as a skin cleaner). Always dilute the vodka with an equal amount of water to reduce the drying-out effects.

Like all alcohol, vodka gets a bad rep, but as you see, it offers a plethora of benefits that can help your overall health. Moderation is the key to attaining these and other abundant benefits, but make sure to dilute it whenever possible. No longer is it an apple a day that keeps a doctor away; it can be a shot of vodka instead!

Enjoy rum? Don’t forget to check out our 13 benefits to drinking rum!