13 Pretty Damn Amazing Things You Never Knew About Vodka

You say potato, I say vodka.

1. Vodka does not contain any sugar, yeast, fat, cholesterol, sodium, or carbs.

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Vodka is made of only ethanol and water.

2. Vodka is one of the lowest-calorie liquors. A 1.5-ounce shot of 70-proof vodka has 85 calories.

healthline.com

All the calories in vodka come from the alcohol itself because — as we stated above — the only other ingredient is water.

3. Vodka increases blood flow to the heart and creates better HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels.

IFC

A study by Professional Heart Daily found that vodka increased capillary density, which allows more oxygen to travel through your blood.

4. And drinking vodka may be healthier than drinking red wine.

newsweek.com

Red wine helps blood vessels relax, but vodka actually increases blood flow to the heart and creates better cholesterol levels. It also contains fewer congeners than wine. (Congeners are anything besides alcohol that gets produced during the fermentation process.)

5. Some of the best recipes are made with vodka, like this penne alla vodka.

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Get the recipe here.

6. Vodka tightens your pores.

elitedaily.com

Elite Daily spoke with New York-based dermatologist Jeannette Graf, who said to dunk a cotton ball in a mixture of green tea and vodka. Applying this solution to your face morning and night not only cleanses it, but also helps minimize pores.

7. Vodka may also have antiseptic properties.

Fox

Vodka may help heal wounds and prevent infections or blisters.

8. Vodka can be therapeutic when consumed, or when applied topically to your body.

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Vodka aids relaxation, has sleep-inducing properties, and has a calming effect on the brain.

9. Vodka can be used to clean just about anything at home.

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A spray bottle full of even the cheapest vodka can clean everything from soap scum in the bathroom to your pillows and mattress in your bedroom.

10. Vodka reduces stress.

Bravo

A 1997 study found that vodka has a clear effect in reducing stress.

11. Vodka can be made from nearly any fermented food that contains sugar or starch, then it's distilled to increase alcohol content.

NBC

Most vodkas today are distilled from grains, but some are still made with potatoes.

12. The name vodka derives from the Russian word "voda," which means water.

Showtime

Vodka is also the national liquor of Poland and Ukraine.

13. Lastly — and possibly most importantly — you are less likely to have a hangover after drinking vodka.

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The severity of hangovers can be significantly reduced by drinking clear alcoholic beverages, which are low in congeners. AKA: VODKA.