In the US, the Bloody Mary is a common Hair of the dog drink. reputed to cure hangovers with its combination of a vegetable base in order to “settle the stomach”, salt to “replenish lost electrolytes”, and alcohol to relieve head and body aches. And it gained particular notoriety as a drink to have at brunch after a big night out.
Did you know bloody marys are good for you? Forget an apple a day; a bloody mary a day keeps the doctor away! The three main ingredients in bloody marys: tomatoes, horseradish, and hot sauce are stomach-clearing, bone-strengthening, heart-healing, disease ass-kicking ingredients.
And a bloody mary offers far more health benefits than a typical Manhattan or the other popular breakfast cocktail, a mimosa. SoAre Bloody Marys Healthy? Well lets break down that ingredient list.
The tomato juice-and-vodka concoction known mainly for curing hangovers and creative garnishes has some surprising health benefits. If you drink one bloody mary a day, it could lead to a longer life — although the FDA has yet put that claim on the label of any bloody mary mixes.
Mia Hirsch. But tomato juice isn’t the only key ingredient of a Bloody Mary offering serious hangover cure capabilities. Worcestershire sauce, which combines anchovies, molasses, garlic, cloves, and chili pepper, is rich in Vitamin B6, which helps our bodies fight infection and aids in digestion.
Over the past few years, brunch spots everywhere have been in constant competition, one-upping each other with each new Bloody Mary creation. Each one seems to grow bigger and crazier, piled high with even more random ingredients than the one before.
What are the ingredients in a Bloody Mary?
And a bloody mary offers far more health benefits than a typical Manhattan or the other popular breakfast cocktail, a mimosa. Let’s go over the ingredients in a typical Bloody Mary. Vodka. Tomato Juice. Lemon Juice.
Vodka. No alcohol is good for you. But if you are going to drink alcohol in moderation, it is the clearer types of alcohol that are easier on your body. Generally speaking, clear liquor is also less coloric. One serving of vodka contains only 97 calories and zero carbs.
Health Benefits: Tomatoes are packed with nutrients that are great for your body’s natural processes. Tomatoes are considered a high-antioxidant food and one of the best sources of the phytonutrient, called lycopene, in the world. Lycopene is closely tied to enhanced immunity and cancer risk reduction.
Celery is an excellent source of antioxidants and beneficial enzymes. Celery is known to fight cancer, lower high blood pressure, ease insomnia, prevent kidney stones and help with digestive problems.
What are some good recipes for bloody mary?
Here’s some of what you’re getting with your dash of Worcestershire: vinegar, molasses, sugar, onions, anchovies, salt, garlic, cloves, tamarind extract, and chili pepper extract (via Health Talks ).
This combination turns out to be good for you. The garlic, molasses, and pepper extract provide immunity-boosting vitamin B6. Some of the ingredients have thiamine, which benefits the brain. Anchovies contain niacin, which improves joint health.
Shutterstock. The lemon juice in a bloody mary is there to help you, too. Lemon juice has pectin, which promotes weight loss — which in some cases can lead to health benefits. Lemons also fight cancer and prevent kidney stones (via UPMC ).
Tomato juice and other forms of processed tomatoes have high levels of lycopene, an antioxidant that improves cardiovascular health and prevents cancer. One serving of tomato juice provides an amount of lycopene within the range recommended for daily dosage of a lycopene supplement, according to Livestrong.
What is the bloody Mary drink?
In the US, the Bloody Mary is a common Hair of the dog drink. reputed to cure hangovers with its combination of a vegetable base in order to “settle the stomach”, salt to “replenish lost electrolytes”, and alcohol to relieve head and body aches.
There are many supposed origins of the bloody mary cocktail. Some say it’s associated with historical figures such as Queen Mary I of England , who was nicknamed “Bloody Mary”. Others trace the name to a waitress named Mary who worked at a Chicago bar called the Bucket of Blood. ( 1)
Aside from the vodka, bloody marys are made from tomato juice and spices. Tomato juice is. In summary: Bloody marys are not a hangover cure, but can temporarily make you feel better. That said, the hangover that ensues thereafter could be a lot worse!
Therefore, you’re still going to get a hangover after and it may be much worse than if you hadn’t had a bloody mary. In general, drinking any alcohol when hungover is not advisable and will only do you more harm. If you’re interested in this topic, check out our article on the best hangover cure drinks.
What happens if you drink bloody Marys?
Drink enough bloody marys for a long enough period of time, and your body will break: your liver will stop working, your circulatory system will clog up, you’ll find yourself at higher risk of various cancers – the long-term consequences of alcohol abuse are well documented and do not need to be recounted here in full.
The horseradish in a bloody mary is good, too. Gizmodo reports that it’s an analgesic – it helps to relieve pain. It can clear out your sinus if you’re feeling plugged up. It can also help to curb your cancer risk; it contains glucosinolates, which have a range of benefits but primarily act as antioxidants.
Just remember: no amount of vegetables or fruit can undo the fact that bloody marys are an alcoholic drink. Alcohol is still bad for you in excess, so be careful. Limited consumption, however, is likely okay.
Tomatoes are high in sodium, which isn’t great, but they’re rich in all kinds of good things that your body needs: compounds that protect the skin, prostate, and eyes, a slew of antioxidants that can help to ward off cancer, essential vitamins that your body needs, and other assorted nutrient goodies.
Short answer. Boozing is bad for you if you drink too much. When drinking in moderation, however, a bloody mary is a pretty healthy choice.
Celery can help to fight inflammation, high blood pressure, and liver damage (although not so much that it’ll cancel out the vodka). Because of the high fiber content, celery is good for the gut – take it to push back against ulcers, regulate your movements, improve your digestion and reduce bloating.