Manages Weight
Unlike carbohydrate-heavy alcoholic drinks like beer, brandy contains no carbs and doesn’t fill you up. It can also be enjoyed as an aperitif, without ruining your appetite. Moreover, it does not contribute to the simple sugar breakdown of carbs that can easily be stored as fat, such as those found in beer. [
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Additionally, a 2011 study titled, “Medicinal brandy“, states that brandy can be used by obese people because of its metabolism boosting properties. [
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Rich Source of Antioxidants
Brandy has the same antioxidation potential as 90 mg of vitamin C. The rich reserves of antioxidants in it helps in free radical scavenging activity in the body, preventing DNA damage.
Side Effects of Brandy
As mentioned earlier, alcohol of any kind should only be consumed in moderation. Excess intake or addiction can cause various side effects as follows:
• Hangover
• Damage to your liver, kidney, heart, and other organs.
• Alcohol addiction which hampers your psychological health and nervous system. [
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• Hypoglycemia, which is a severe drop in the blood sugar levels.
Always consume brandy in moderation, but consult your doctor before adding it to your regular diet, particularly if you have experienced liver problems in the past, or if you have a history of addictive behavior.
Note: Avoid use if you are not an adult or are on medication. Also, avoid use during pregnancy and lactation.
Culinary Uses
You can consume brandy neat or on the rocks. However, it can be used in various ways including cooking, as follows:
• Cocktails: Brandy can be used to make many cocktails such as (add name)
• Flambeed: It is used in various flambéed dessert recipes like flambéed apples, flambéed pears.
• Flavoring: Brandy is used in enhancing the flavor of various baked recipes like cakes and pie fillings.
• Deglazing: It is a common deglazing liquid used in making pan sauces for meats.
How to drink brandy?
Brandy can be consumed in any manner you see fit, but the popular way is to:
• Pour it neat (without ice) into a snifter, which is held in the hand, so the glass can be warmed.
• Let the aroma of the brandy release as this makes for a more enjoyable drink.
• It is a beverage that should be sipped, starting with small sips that gradually grow larger.
• Try to inhale the aroma as you drink it.
Is brandy whiskey?
Brandy is not a type of whiskey but many people may mistake it for whiskey, due to the similar burning sensation of drinking it. It is primarily made from wine and fermented fruit juices, whereas whiskey is a spirit made from types of grains, such as wheat, corn or malted barley. Both may sting your chest on the way down but they are two very different types of alcohol.