Hey, before you decide whether to buy eggnog this season, it is important to know some of the beneficial factors it can have on your body. Eggnog can help people with most ailments, including prostate cancer, because of the nutritional value of consuming eggs.
Stick around as we plan to tell you how eggnog is made and how consuming raw eggs can impact your body. After reading this article, you will have an excuse for drinking that second glass of eggnog.
What is Egg Nog?
First off, let's go over what is in eggnog and why it can benefit you. As you may have guessed, most homemade eggnog’s main ingredient is eggs. In fact, you will be hard-pressed to find any eggnog recipe that does not have that primary constituent.
Unfortunately, those who are lactose intolerant may not be able to get past the resulting abdominal pains to reap the benefits of drinking it. Speaking of those benefits, eggnog contains numerous vitamins and minerals, a healthy dose of protein, and anti-inflammatory elements.
Vitamins and Minerals
The vitamins and minerals in eggnog that are of high importance are:
- Vitamin A
- B12
- B2
- Iron
- Potassium
- Calcium
It has roughly 400 mg of potassium and nearly one-third of the calcium you need daily. Many of you may know that B12 is responsible for creating red blood cells, which can significantly boost your stamina.
That doesn't mean you can drink an entire bottle of eggnog and then go outside and dominate a pickup game of football, but it definitely will not hurt. Add that to those other crucial elements, such as potassium for fluid levels and calcium for bone health, and egg nog drinks are the real deal.
Protein
Next up is protein, and one cup of eggnog can give you about 10-12 grams of muscle-building molecules. That is a lot when you compare it to other high-protein sources like chicken or fish, which gives you 1 gram of protein every 2-3 grams.
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Protein is the building block for your body, as it can help you recover from injury, build muscle, and make essential hormones and enzymes. Additionally, eggs give you a complete amino acid profile, meaning you will receive every protein your body needs to perform crucial functions.
Inflammation
The third and final benefit on our list is the anti-inflammatory properties. Most eggnog cocktails include nutmeg in their recipe, a spice known for its inflammation-healing nature. It is chock-full of antioxidants that can aid you with healthy aging, fighting cancer, and battling heart disease.
The zesty spice has also improved cognitive thinking and reduced insomnia. In short, on top of lowering your inflammation, eggnog can help you think, fight diseases, and add a bunch of flavor to your drink.
Does Alcohol Take Away the Benefits?
The answer to this question is a bit complicated because although alcohol doesn't take away the beneficial components that are in the drink, it adds a host of harmful elements that can counteract the good ones.
Although any good eggnog recipe calls for liquor, trying non-alcoholic alternatives every once in a while is worth your time. Limiting your alcohol can work out for you in the long run, especially if you battle diseases such as cancer or heart failure.
RELATED: High Blood Pressure & Alcohol May Be A Bad Mix For Your Heart
For example, a bottle of Pennsylvania Dutch eggnog has roughly 15% alcohol content, making nearly a 7th of it pure booze. With that much in there, any health benefits you gain from drinking the eggs will be met with damaged brain cells and an attack on the liver.
As always, it is your choice on what kind of eggnog to drink this season, but if you want to enjoy yourself and live a long, healthy life, try making an eggnog cocktail at home and put in less alcohol than big brands like Dutch or Evan Williams eggnog.