For some people, optimizing health means abstaining from alcohol. For others, the healthiest life is the one well lived. If you want to include alcohol in your healthy lifestyle, it helps to know how alcohol stacks up nutritionally.
Not every drink is created equal. Some add more calories than you might realize, while others may be beneficial. Also, regardless of which kind of drink you enjoy, one of the most harmful effects of drinking is dehydration. Practice having a glass of water for every alcoholic drink you consume. This is especially important for those suffering from existing conditions that are exacerbated by dehydration like eczema. Also, since alcohol is a depressant, be careful if you suffer from depression or other mental illnesses.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the different varieties to see how they stack up.
Nutrition Facts for Different Alcohols
Spirits
Old-fashioned spirit-based cocktails can be a good, low-calorie choice. Distilled spirits, while high in calories, are rarely consumed in large quantities. Vodka, gin, whiskey, and rum have a little under 100 calories for a 1.5 oz serving. When mixed with plain soda and a twist of citrus, this makes a relatively low-calorie option. If you add juice or sodas containing sugar, the calories can add up quickly.
Wine
Wine is much lower in alcohol than hard liquor, ranging from 6% to 16%. Wine is fermented rather than distilled, so the sugars in the grape juice are converted into ethanol. The calorie content is lower ounce-for-ounce, but you’re not likely to drink just 1.5 oz. of wine. A standard drink is 5 oz., which has about 125 calories.
There is some evidence to back up the notion that wine has health benefits. Moderate wine drinkers have demonstrated a slightly lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Red wine, in particular, contains beneficial polyphenols and resveratrol. White wine doesn’t have the same health benefits, but a white wine spritzer with fresh fruit is a nice low-calorie and low-alcohol-content choice.
Beer
A 12 oz. serving of light beer may have as few as 105 calories. This is great news if you’re having a single drink at a social event. A 12 oz. beer followed by a sparkling water could last an entire evening out. Beer is high in protein and contains vitamin B. The hops used to make beer also contain cancer-preventing flavonoids in the form of antioxidants. Beer may contribute to higher bone density and has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Beer is also high in potassium and low in sodium.
Beer drinkers rejoice! The health benefits of beer are abundant.
Everyone must make their own decision when it comes to drinking alcohol. The benefits and the consequences have to be weighed, and always drink in moderation. If abstaining feels right for you, keep dry and enjoy soft drinks, but be sure to read the labels.