Over the last couple of years, the world of whiskey has grown by leaps and bounds, and rye whiskey has been sprung to the forefront as one of the emerging favorites. Rye whiskey—with its characteristic in-your-face flavor and all the lovely eccentricities that come with it—has gained an ever-growing body of loyal consumers. With this growth in popularity, rye whiskey has been gaining not only consumers but also exposure to health claims, some true and some exaggerated. Don’t worry, we’ll discuss all of it and more.
With this blog we shall dive into facts and fictions surrounding rye whiskey benefits on health. From knowing what rye whiskey really is, to separation of myth from reality, let's plunge into this very special spirit and know how it fits into a healthy way of life.
But what is Rye Whiskey, and why’re we discussing it?
Rye whiskey is considered as an independent category of whiskey majorly prepared from rye grains. In the United States, for a product to be considered rye whiskey, it must have a mash bill made up of at least 51% rye, commonly with corn, malted barley, or other grains present in the composition. The high rye content tends to give the whiskey a spicy and more full-bodied demeanour in its flavour profile, in contrast to most other whiskeys. Bourbon, on the other hand, is much sweeter due to its higher corn content.
Malted rye also plays a significant part during the production. Created by sprouting and stone-drying rye grains, it becomes a grist. The enzymes in this process convert starches into fermentable sugars, crucial for alcohol production. This not only enhances the whiskey's flavor but also significantly influences its texture and mouthfeel, making each sip a unique and captivating experience. Click here, to know more.
Woody Creek Distillers - Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey (750ML)
Addressing some common myths
Like any popular beverage, rye whiskey is not immune to myths, particularly those surrounding its so-called health benefits. Let's address some of the most frequently heard misconceptions.
Myth-1: Rye Whiskey is a Universal Cure-All
Perhaps one of the most persistent myths about rye whiskey calls on it to cure a wide variety of maladies from the common cold to upset stomachs. Likely, this stems from the dawn of whiskey-making, when liquors were used frequently as medicines. Yes, well, alcohol has been medicinally used for centuries, but that is a far stretch from eventually positing the notion that rye whiskey could be the kind of thing that would cure all from a cold to digestive problems in general. This likely spawned the belief that spirits cured everything from a cold to a tummy ache in one belt from a flask of the rye. And while it has its perks, it's hardly a cure-all.
Myth-2: Rye Whiskey is Healthier Than Other Types of Alcohol
Another common myth is that rye whiskey is somehow inherently healthier than any other type of alcohol. This may be due to the fact that rye is a whole grain, and therefore, whiskey made from rye would, in theory, carry some of that nutrition. While there may indeed be some beneficial compounds in rye whiskey, such as antioxidants, it is still essential to bear in mind that all alcoholic beverages have to be consumed in moderation, and no alcohol type can be counted as a "health food”.
Some enthusiasts do argue that drinking rye whiskey daily is healthy. This likely stems from anecdotal stories of individuals who have lived long, healthy lives while enjoying a daily serving of whiskey, contributing to the perception of its supposed health benefits. However, while moderate alcohol consumption may have some health benefits, the practice in itself has several risks which are associated with it—particularly the consumption of large quantities on a regular basis.
The Health Benefits of Rye Whiskey in Reality
Yes, it is very important to demystify some of these claims. But truth be told, rye whiskey provides some considerable health benefits in moderate consumption.
Fact-1: Moderation is Key
The key to receiving potential health advantages of rye whiskey would be moderation. The United States Dietary Guidelines define moderation as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. Exceeding these levels can lead to an accumulation of health issues, including liver disease, addiction, and an increased risk of certain cancers.
As per the studies, moderate levels of consumption of whiskey do have some positive effects on the heart. The alcohol, in order to protect the heart, increases HDL cholesterol, regarded as "good" cholesterol, and with its anti-coagulent nature it discourages the formation of blood clots.
Similar to other whiskey, rye whiskey is made with compounds that are known to have positive effects on heart health if taken in moderate consumption. Ageing gives rye whiskey deep and complex flavours and contributes to its antioxidant properties, which will prevent cells from damage due to free radicals and therefore reduce potential risks of heart diseases.
A publication in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, indicated that moderate whiskey consumption can be linked to a reduced occurrence of heart disease; however, the study indicated that such reliefs can only be effective through moderate consumption of the drink and hence called for caution, as excessive drinking could contradict such positive effects.
Fact-2: Rye Whiskey and Digestive Health
Another added advantage of rye when combined with whiskey, can be the enhancement of therapeutic or digestive attributes. Due to its high fibre content, rye grain is good for helping in digestion and keeping the gut system healthy. Though distillation removes most of the fibre, some of the good compounds for digestion may still be found in it.
Plus, studies suggest that the fermentation of making rye whiskey could possibly add some small amount of prebiotic compounds to the drink that helps the increase of beneficial gut bacteria. All the same, this is not a big effect and shouldn't be a reason to drink whiskey to support your digestion, as the previous point suggests.
Michter's Distillery - 'Barrel Strength' Kentucky Straight Straight Rye Whiskey (750ML)
Separating Myth from Reality: What Science Says.
Fewer studies have been particularly done on rye whiskey than on other forms of alcohol. Nonetheless, what these studies suggest is that, like other whiskeys, this alcoholic drink could be healthy at moderate intake levels. These valuable health benefits mostly arise from the cocktail of antioxidants and other compounds formed in the process of ageing in barrels.
An example is that of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, in which its study has reported that whiskey contains ellagic acid, known to be a very powerful antioxidant compound that assists in many anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress situations in the body. This compound is more concentrated in barrel-aged whiskeys, for example, rye.
Whiskey, like red wine, contains polyphenols: antioxidants derived from plants, which have been linked to heart health. The only difference is that the concentration of these compounds is relatively low, and the benefits of whiskey should not be encouraged.
Rye's spicier taste could also have an indirect advantage, should, in theory anyway, drinkers tend to consume it more thoughtfully and slowly and not in large amounts, which may not happen with such a pungent spirit.
In the end, Rye whiskey, rich in history and taste complexity, is poised to capture hearts—those of spirits aficionados and of the health-conscious alike. It offers a few potential health benefits, particularly for heart and digestive health, but only when consumed in moderation. Truth must be separated from myth, and rye whiskey should be approached with reason.
If you'd like to give rye whiskey a try, we recommend starting slow with a small bottle responsibly sourced and curated, you can check out the offerings available at The Epicurean Trader.
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