Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Certain alcoholic drinks like beer contain less alcohol, even when consumed in large amounts. Meanwhile, there are also some alcoholic beverages that, even in small amounts, contain large amounts of alcohol, like whiskey.
But wait, is whiskey healthier than beer? Or is it the other way around? Let’s find out.
Is Whiskey Healthier Than Beer?
Whiskey is healthier than beer because it’s much lower in sugar and has a low-calorie count.
This drink is considered among the healthiest alcohols/spirits when it comes to comparing calories.
When consumed moderately, hard liquor drinks such as whiskey, tequila, and vodka, have health benefits and are believed to be healthier than beer or wine.
However, hard liquor can take on more carbohydrates and calories when combined with a soda or juice mixer. But how much does an average American drink?
Health Benefits
Beer
- It can lower the risks of heart diseases. Studies show that moderate beer consumption can make you less likely to suffer from heart disease. The suggested moderate amount can be up to 330ml, approximately one drink of a can of beer for women and up to 2 cans for men [1].
- It can help strengthen your bones. It can reduce the risk of osteoporosis when moderately consumed because of its substantial source of bone-building silicon. And it also has healthy antioxidants that are beneficial in bone loss.
- It may reduce inflammation in the body. Some brands have polyphenol called flavonoids, which fight inflammation and swelling in the body.
Whiskey
- It aids digestion. Since whiskey is a liquor, it stimulates your digestive enzymes, breaking proteins down. Whiskey aids digestion, helps you lose weight, and reduces cholesterol levels.
- It helps in cancer prevention. Whiskey is high in antioxidants, ellagic acid, that can kill cancer cells and decrease the growth of tumors [2].
- It might prevent blood clots. Whiskey is also recognized as a blood thinner that causes the growth of good cholesterol, which reduces unnecessary body fat and blood clots inside our vessels. But is whiskey good for high blood pressure?
Potential Health Risks
Beer
- It can cause weight gain. Constant consumption can increase your appetite, accumulating fat in the belly and producing beer belly.
- It can cause several types of cancer. It has carcinogens that can cause cancer, such as liver, breast, mouth, and throat cancer if consumed excessively.
- It can cause depression. Drinking beer may damage your brain, especially if you consume a lot. You’re more likely to make an irrational act or decision, which may lead to regret and depression.
Whiskey
- It can cause heart health problems. Heart benefits from whiskey come with light amounts. On the contrary, it can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease if consumed heavily.
- It might damage the liver. The liver cuts down alcohol in the body, so high amounts of hard liquor can cause fatty deposits, which can cause liver failure.
Factors To Consider
Alcohol & Sugar Content
Generally, beer has about 5% ABV, while whiskey has around 40%.
1.5oz of whiskey has 0g of sugar in one drink, while 12oz of light beer has 3g.
Beer or red wine has higher sugar than whiskey.
So, drink a glass of whiskey if you want fewer additives. But how much sugar is in whiskey?
Calories
1oz of beer has 13 calories, while whiskey has 64 calories per 1oz. Whiskey has more calories than beer and red wine when compared per volume.
However, they have different standards of serving.
For beer, it’s 12oz, while it’s 1.5oz for whiskey. With that, you can cut excess calories when you drink whiskey because it has fewer calories when compared to a normal serving amount.
Read: Number of Calories in a Shot of Bourbon
Vitamins
Both have vitamins, but beer contains B vitamins and more minerals.
In contrast, whiskey has fewer carbohydrates, less sodium, and almost zero sugar content, making it a healthy choice. But is whiskey acidic?
FAQs
Does beer make you gain weight faster than whiskey?
Yes, beer can make you gain weight faster than whiskey, even if the same amount is consumed.
That’s because its sugar content is higher, which can be an issue for weight loss goals. Bu how long does beer last in the fridge?
Does whiskey give more hangover than beer?
Yes, whiskey can give more hangovers than beer because it has a higher amount of alcohol.
Hangovers start when the liquor in our blood flow decreases and reaches its maximum when it reaches zero.
So, the more you consume alcohol, the longer the hangover will be.
Does whiskey have fewer calories than beer?
Generally, whiskey contains fewer calories per serving compared to beer. A standard serving of whiskey (1.5 ounces) typically contains around 100 calories, while a standard serving of beer (12 ounces) can range from about 100 to 200 calories, depending on the beer’s alcohol content and ingredients.
Are there any nutritional differences between whiskey and beer?
Whiskey and beer differ in their nutritional profiles. Whiskey contains no carbohydrates, fats, or cholesterol, while beer contains varying amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. However, both beverages are low in essential nutrients and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Can moderate whiskey consumption offer any health benefits?
Moderate consumption of whiskey, like other alcoholic beverages, has been associated with potential health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and improved cardiovascular health. However, excessive alcohol consumption can have adverse health effects and should be avoided.
Does whiskey contain any antioxidants?
Whiskey contains compounds called polyphenols, which act as antioxidants. These antioxidants may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, potentially offering some health benefits when consumed in moderation.
Are there any risks associated with drinking whiskey or beer?
Both whiskey and beer can pose risks when consumed excessively. These risks include addiction, liver disease, increased cancer risk, impaired judgment, and negative effects on mental health. It’s important to drink responsibly and in moderation to minimize these risks.
In Summary
Based on studies, whiskey is healthier than beer (or red wine) because it has fewer calories. Although this drink is stronger, it has fewer carbohydrates, less sodium, and almost zero sugar content.
Alcoholic beverages such as tequila, whiskey, vodka, spiked seltzer, beer, or wine are good to consume occasionally, but every hard liquor has good and bad effects.
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