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Cosmonauts aboard the Mir space station in the 1980s and 1990s routinely carried cognac to help them relax and overcome the isolation of space. Some Russian doctors believed it would benefit their immune systems. Visiting Americans were also offered cognac. Drinking in moderation has health benefits.
Some would say the Soviet Union lost the space race by not landing a man on the moon, but the cosmonauts aboard the Mir space station might not care too much.
During their space travels in the 1980s and 1990s, cosmonauts routinely carried alcohol with them, most often in the form of cognac. Of course, drinking alcohol in space was against protocol, but everyone turned a blind eye to the practice because it was seen as helpful in helping cosmonauts relax and overcome the isolation of space.
Some Russian doctors went so far as to urge the taking of cognac, which they believed would benefit the cosmonauts’ immune systems and help keep them healthy.
“The Russian and European part of the program – then mainly the men – were there 24/7, and on Saturdays (they had) a day off, and they drank some cognac or vodka and watched some movies or read a book or relax on Saturday,” said Jeffrey Manber, who worked as a contractor for Russia’s space program.
Visiting Americans also got a taste, according to astronaut John Grunsfeld. “Midway through the mission, while docked at the Mir space station, we were invited to Mir for a social event,” he said. “When we were there Valeri (Korzun) took out a small bottle. And someone asked ‘Oh, is that vodka?’ and Valeri said: ‘No. no. We would never take vodka into space. It’s cognac.’”
Here’s for your health:
Research suggests that drinking in moderation is heart-healthy, reducing the risks of heart attack and stroke by up to 40 percent.
Beer drinkers are 41% less likely to suffer from kidney stones, while wine drinkers reduce the risk by 33%.
A 12-year study found that people who drank a small amount of wine over the course of a week reduced their risk of mortality by 25%.
