However, if you are going to drink, having red wine in moderation is a healthier choice than other alcoholic drinks. This is due to its high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been linked to better heart and gut health.
Unsurprisingly, straight spirits contain the least amount of calories as are nearly entirely ethanol without added sugar. Vodka is the alcohol with the lowest calories, at around 100 calories per shot (that's a 50ml double-measure). Whisky is slightly more, at roughly 110 calories a shot.
#1 Go for spirits
Clear alcohol like vodka, gin and tequila have lower caloric counts, but they're also easier to consume straight, with ice or with soda water, which means there won't be any added calories.
Vodka doesn't contain a significant amount of minerals or nutrients. Vodka has no sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, vodka may be a slightly healthier option.
Gin has less sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, gin may be a slightly healthier option. Be careful with mixers, however. They can make the sugar content of your drink skyrocket.
Unfortunately, there is no type of alcohol that is easier on your liver. Overall, the amount you drink is what matters. At the end of the day, the damaging ingredient in alcohol is "ethanol" and all alcoholic drinks contain it.
According to a new study published in Oxford's Alcohol and Alcoholism journal, scientists discovered that hoppy beer is significantly less harmful to the liver than liquor and even beer without hops.
Methanol (CH3OH) is a toxic alcohol that is found in various household and industrial agents. Methanol exposure can be extremely dangerous, with significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated.
"Hard liquor contains more alcohol than beer or wine, making it more dangerous for your liver," continues Coleman. "A single shot of 80-proof hard liquor contains about 15 grams of alcohol and most shots contain even more alcohol than this." Another alcoholic beverage also takes a considerable toll on your liver.
If you're looking to go low sugar, then there are some basic approaches you can take. Your best bet is to stick with hard spirits like gin, vodka, whiskey and rum, but watch your mixer. Wine is a good option, but it's best to go for a red or a dry white. Beer might be good for low sugar, but it can be high in calories.
It's safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The difference lies mostly in the dose. Moderate drinking seems to be good for the heart and circulatory system, and probably protects against type 2 diabetes and gallstones. Heavy drinking is a major cause of preventable death in most countries.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Eat a well-balanced diet every day. That's five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables, along with fiber from vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Be sure to include protein for the enzymes that help your body detox naturally.
Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. “The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week,” explains Dr Lui. “Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.
It can help fight kidney and liver disease
Gin is the best natural remedy for kidney and liver disease. Juniper berries help stop water retention in your body, allowing you to pass more water than any other alcohol. This means that more harmful toxins and bacteria are flushed out your system.
Gin had become the poor man's drink as it was cheap, and some workers were given gin as part of their wages. Duty paid on gin was 2 pence a gallon, as opposed to 4 shillings and nine pence on strong beer.
Hey, every little counts, right?! In conclusion: a gin and tonic is lower in calories than other alcoholic drinks, contains fewer units of alcohol, is less likely to cause you a bad hangover than other booze, and has some potential small side benefits in the form of its natural botanicals and added fruit garnishes.
Scientists reported that while both types of alcohol appear to be good for your heart health, they do so in different ways. Red wine relaxes the blood vessels, while vodka increased capillary density, which means more oxygen can be delivered to the blood.
For those dieting but still drinking alcohol, vodka is typically the go-to due to its low calories and non-existent carbs. It is considered a much lower calorie alternative to beer and wine.
Distilled alcoholic drinks such as vodka, rum, brandy or whiskey have a negligible glycaemic index. In that sense, they're not very harmful. But cola and soft drinks of that ilk are packed with sugar. They can cause a dramatic surge of sugar levels in your body.
Beer and wine are the worst when it comes to drinking – one drink is anywhere from 100-170 calories. Tequila, vodka, gin and whiskey are the best alcohols for weight loss, with only 60-70 calories for one drink.
You can't go wrong if you choose from the following: liquor, red or white wine (the drier the better), Champagne, or light beer. Anything with a B- rating or higher from this incredibly helpful list should get you where you need to go without doing excessive damage to your waistband.
The Simple Answer: Nope. The Longer answer: While drinking alcohol can fit into a healthy eating routine, there's one reality we just can't change: alcoholic drinks are just another source of extra calories. There's no magic drink that we can easily burn off, because all alcohol is digested in the same way.