Arielle Cruz
Alcohol is a toxic and addictive substance with numerous negative health effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption. While moderate drinking may have some protective effects, these do not outweigh the risks of excessive drinking. For example, drinking large quantities of red wine can cause health issues, despite its potential antioxidant effects. However, if one chooses to consume alcohol, certain types of alcohol may be healthier than others. For instance, red wine, whiskey, tequila, and hard kombucha are considered healthier options than beer and sugary drinks. Light to moderate consumption of beer may help decrease the risk of heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and type 2 diabetes. Vodka soda is also a low-calorie and low-sugar option. Ultimately, the key to minimising the negative impacts of alcohol is drinking in moderation and making thoughtful choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lowest calorie alcohol options | Red wine, hard kombucha, tequila, gin, vodka |
| Calories per 1.5-ounce shot | 100 calories |
| Lowest sugar content | Gin, vodka |
| Healthiest hard liquor | Tequila, mezcal |
| Best for hangovers | Tequila |
| Rich in antioxidants | Red wine, brandy |
| Protective effect against heart disease | Red wine |
| Protective effect against cell damage | Red wine |
| Lowest risk of diseases | Red wine |
| Boosts memory | Champagne |
| Low-calorie drinks | Gin |
| Promotes heart health | Red wine, brandy |
| Anti-aging properties | Brandy |
| Lowers blood sugar | Brandy |
| Promotes restorative sleep | Gin |
| Skin-improving benefits | Gin |
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What You'll Learn
Tequila is a healthy option
While alcohol is not a healthy choice, some alcoholic drinks are better for you than others. Tequila, for instance, has a reputation as a "healthy option".
Firstly, tequila is made from the agave plant, which contains sugars that may offer health benefits. Agave is rich in a type of sugar called agavins, which early research suggests may function like dietary fibre, meaning they are not digested and absorbed by the body in the same way as other sugars. As a result, agavins may not affect blood glucose or contribute calories to the diet, which could be beneficial for weight control and diabetes management. Agave also contains antioxidants, which may improve immune function, and compounds that may aid digestion and promote a healthy gut.
Secondly, tequila is a clear liquor, which means it is generally lower in congeners (chemicals from the fermentation process that can worsen hangovers) than darker liquors. It is also naturally sweet, so it can be drunk straight without mixers, saving you from unnecessary high-calorie, high-sugar additions.
Thirdly, tequila is gluten-free and contains no carbohydrates, giving it an edge over wine, beer, and cider. It is also lower in sugar and calories than many other alcoholic drinks.
However, it is important to remember that tequila is still a potent alcoholic drink, and excessive consumption can lead to liver damage, addiction, and weight gain. There is also currently no concrete evidence that drinking tequila has any health benefits.
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Gin is low-calorie
While alcohol is not a healthy choice, some alcoholic drinks are better for you than others. Clear liquors like vodka, tequila, and gin are the lowest in sugar and calories and are the easiest for our bodies to metabolize. Gin is a nationally loved drink that comes in a variety of flavours. However, gin must have an ABV of at least 37.5% to be classified as gin.
A single 25ml of gin served with a slimline tonic is a fairly inexpensive choice calorie-wise. Gin on its own is completely carb-free, and even when mixed with a slimline tonic, it still contains no carbohydrates. On the other hand, if you opt for a regular tonic, you will be consuming anywhere from 8-14 grams of carbohydrates. Pink gins are not completely carbohydrate-free, but the content differs depending on the ingredients, with an average of around 1 gram of carbohydrates per 25ml measure.
Gin liqueurs, which have an ABV of around 20%, are sweeter, cordial-like drinks that contain a variety of fruits and other flavours. A 50ml measure of gin liqueur will contain around 85-100 calories. As a general rule, light or clear spirits are lower in calories than dark spirits. Vodka is widely believed to be the lowest-calorie spirit, but its calorie content is broadly comparable to that of neat gin. However, as with gin, the choice of mixer makes all the difference.
If you are health-conscious, you may want to try LoCa Bev Minus 33 and LUXLO, which are lower-calorie alternatives to gin.
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Red wine has antioxidants
While alcohol is not a healthy choice, some alcoholic drinks are better for you than others. Red wine, for example, contains antioxidants, which can protect your cells from damage.
Red wine contains a rich source of a large number of antioxidants, namely phenolic acids and polyphenols, which provide it with its protective redox potential. Polyphenols are antioxidants that can be found in grape skins and seeds used during the winemaking process. They give red wine its bitter, tannic taste. The amount of polyphenols in red wine increases during the fermentation stage, and there are more polyphenols in red wine than in white wine.
Extensive research has demonstrated the protective properties of antioxidants, which scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their precursors, as well as up-regulate enzymes involved in the repair of cellular damage. Research has shown that people who ingest high levels of polyphenols in food have a lower risk of diseases including cancer and heart disease.
In one study, two groups of people switched to a Mediterranean diet rich in whole grains, nuts, healthy oils, vegetables, and fruits. One group also drank a glass of red wine each day. While both groups saw improvements to their cholesterol levels, the group that drank the red wine had significantly better results.
White wine and rosé contain antioxidants too, just in smaller quantities.
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Hard kombucha has probiotics
While alcohol is not a healthy choice, some alcoholic drinks are better for you than others. Hard kombucha, for example, has gained popularity among health-conscious individuals as a gut-friendly alternative to standard alcoholic beverages.
Kombucha is a beverage made from fermented tea. Regular kombucha has an extremely low alcohol content, but hard kombucha is fermented for longer periods, increasing its alcohol content to a level similar to that of beer or wine.
Regular kombucha is known for its probiotics, containing strains of beneficial bacteria that promote gut health and support digestion. However, it is unclear whether hard kombucha retains these benefits. Some experts suggest that the probiotics may not withstand the higher alcohol content of hard kombucha, and that the amount of beneficial probiotics in hard kombucha may not be significant.
Nevertheless, hard kombucha is still considered a better option than other alcoholic beverages. It is often brewed with natural ingredients like black or green tea, bacteria, and yeast, which can provide various vitamins and minerals. Additionally, some brands of hard kombucha have no sugar, which is beneficial from a health perspective.
While hard kombucha may not offer the same probiotic benefits as regular kombucha, it is a trendy and potentially healthier alternative to other alcoholic drinks.
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Brandy has antioxidants
While alcohol is not a healthy choice, some alcoholic drinks are better for you than others. For instance, red wine, whiskey, tequila, and hard kombucha are healthier options than beer and sugary drinks. Brandy, a distilled spirit, also has some health benefits. Firstly, it contains no carbohydrates, so it doesn't cause bloating or the conversion of carbohydrates into fat in the body.
Secondly, and most importantly, brandy has excellent antioxidant properties. The ageing process of brandy in wooden casks contributes to the development of antioxidants, which may help neutralise free radicals in the body. These free radicals are byproducts of cellular metabolism and can cause healthy cells to mutate and undergo cell death. Brandy can prevent this type of cellular death in the hair, skin, internal organs, and even the brain. This is why many people associate brandy consumption with limited ageing symptoms like poor vision, wrinkles, and cognitive issues.
The antioxidant properties of brandy are also linked to its ability to lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood and balance overall cholesterol levels. By reducing inflammation in the cardiovascular system, brandy helps to lower blood pressure. Furthermore, studies have shown that brandy consumption may help prevent and even treat certain types of cancer. An essential component in brandy is ellagic acid, an organic compound that could prevent the development of cancerous cells.
In addition to its antioxidant benefits, brandy has been used traditionally to treat colds, coughs, and the flu. Its warming properties help induce healthy sleep, and its antibacterial nature helps strengthen the immune system by eliminating pathogens. However, it is important to emphasise that brandy should be consumed in moderation to experience these potential health benefits. Excessive consumption of alcohol, including brandy, can lead to adverse health effects.
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