In distant British history, a swish of wine was recommended by medical professionals to “defend the body from corruption,” as mentioned in a BBC article.

But while such a prescription might be a bit laughable today – I’m sure you wouldn’t find it on WebMD – alcohol still does, in fact, have some legitimate health benefits when used wisely.

For one, alcohol is a great preservative. It was used for years as a main ingredient in absinthe, which was used to treat roundworms and several other intestinal parasites for years  due to its ability to extract active ingredients from various medicinal plants.

Secondly, as I’m sure will come as no surprise, alcohol is a great antiseptic that has been used for centuries to disinfect wounds that would likely be life-threatening otherwise.

Alcohol and herbs are best friends of anyone looking for natural medicinal solutions to improve health and well-being. Alcohol can act a catalyst, which is a beautiful thing when not feeling well.

So yeah, you could say that alcohol has historically been quite a useful medical substance.

But what other ways can a drink a day help you, even if you haven’t got roundworms or an open wound?

Well, for one, alcohol in moderation can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, as researchers foundHarvard . It does this by raising the amount of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) in your body that is associated with a stronger heart.

Reuters also reported, as was found in a study by the Catholic University of Campobasso, that less than four drinks for men per day, or two for women, can reduce the risk of death by 18 per cent. You’ll preferably want to consume the alcohol with meals in this instance.

And hey, how’s your sex life looking? Having a bit of trouble with erectile dysfunction? Contrary to popular belief, moderate drinking has actually been found to prevent erectile dysfunction in a way similar to the way it does heart disease.

It can also reduce your chances of developing dementia, as was reported by Science Daily using information from a series of studies dating as far back as 1977.

Need we go on?

Now, of course, going out and getting hammered with your buddies isn’t the way to unlock these health benefits. The key here is to balance the undeniable risks and the benefits, the same way you would any other form of medicine. And as always, check the ingredients! So be wise, my friends, and enjoy the many health benefits of alcohol!