Are Bloody Marys Bad For You?
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.
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A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Here's the inevitable caveat: drinking too much alcohol is bad for you, period. 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. Any alcoholic drink is bad for you if you drink it often enough.
Consumed in moderation, however, bloody marys aren't a bad choice. A bloody mary is rich in tomato juice. 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.
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.
The celery is also good for you. It's rich in vitamins and fiber. It's got no fat and not many calories. 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.
There's a fair amount of variation in the recipe for a bloody mary: some instructions call for jalapenos, lemon, or olives. Most of the vegetables and fruits you'll find as ingredients have health benefits of their own: jalapenos can cut back on inflammation, lemons are rich in vitamin C, and olives are rich in monosaturated fats. 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.
Possible short-term side effects
- judgment impaired
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slurred speech
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dehydration
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nausea / vomiting
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anemia
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headache
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blackout
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unconsciousness
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alcohol poisoning
Possible long-term side effects
- heart disease
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cancer
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liver disease
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alcoholism
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nerve damage
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brain damage
sexual problems
Ingredients to be aware of
- vodka
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tomato juice (can be high in sodium)
Benefits
- in moderation:
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promotes skin, eye, and prostate health
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promotes healthy digestion
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decreases risk of disease
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helps to relieve pain
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helps to clear sinuses
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helps to reduce bloating
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reduces inflammation and blood pressure
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Ocean Spray Bloody Mary Mix
- Rich in vitamins
- 32-ounce bottles
- Convenient pack of 12
- Authentic taste
- Versatile cocktail base
Learn More!
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