Which liquor is the healthiest

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More Button Icon Circle with three vertical dots. It indicates a way to see more nav menu items inside the site menu by triggering the side menu to open and close. Kelly Burch. Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board. Alcohol isn't a healthy choice in general, but some alcohol is better for you than others. Red wine, whiskey, tequila, and hard kombucha are healthier options than beer and sugary drinks.

Contact Support. Log Out. Your cart is empty. Our online classes and training programs allow you to learn from experts from anywhere in the world. Explore Classes. December 27, Vodka is our third liquor choice. Not saying you should drink vodka as a preventative measure, but if heart health is on your radar, vodka is a better option than some others. Pinot Noir is our top wine choice as far as healthy options go. It may not be as low-cal as some other wines, but the added benefit of antioxidants like polyphenols and resveratrol make it a heart healthy choice in moderation.

Champagne is often brought out only on special occasions, but with only 96 calories and 1. And it has a similar effect on arteries as vodka, helping to increase blood flow, giving us one more reason to consider champagne outside special occasions.

You probably saw light beer coming on this list, but with so many brands offering beers that are calories or less, it really is a good option for healthy ish beer. Hardly groundbreaking news, but what exactly does drinking in moderation look like? Gittleman advises, "one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men as moderate alcohol consumption. Drinking in moderation can also help you avoid some of alcohol's negative physical effects. Drinking sugary beverages can disrupt your blood sugar and cause problems with sleep and metabolism.

Just the alcohol can send your blood sugar levels for a spin on its own, and the combination can create hypoglycemia," which can contribute to that shaky feeling you might experience after a night of drinking.

You also want to regulate when you drink. Poon emphasizes, "The digestion of alcohol can really affect your sleep, and quality sleep is one of the most important factors in overall health. Finally, some people should avoid drinking altogether. Poon makes the following recommendation. Other populations might want to avoid alcohol to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle.

Also, if you are having troubles with your digestion or with anxiety, you may want to consider abstaining from alcohol to see if it helps. If, however, you fall outside these populations and choose to imbibe, some alcohol is healthier than others.

As a rule of thumb, Poon suggests, "the simpler, the better. When choosing alcoholic beverages, avoid syrups, sweet mixers, sodas, and tonic water.

Instead, stick to one or two ingredient drinks, high-quality clear alcohols, and hydrating mixers such as water and soda water. Ahead, Poon and Gittleman offer 15 of the healthiest alcoholic drinks to choose from the next time you want to imbibe.

Meet the Expert. Red wine is widely recognized as one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks out there. Poon notes that it's "relatively low in calories and also offers some health benefits. While tequila is still technically classified as a depressant, it's well-known as an "upper.

She points out that some " small studies indicate that it is possible that the sugars in tequila do not shift blood sugar levels like other alcohols. Low in calories and sugar, a vodka soda is widely recognized as one of the healthier cocktail options in the bar. Then, add a splash of [citrus] for a bit of vitamin C. There are additional health benefits to the spirit, according to Gittleman. Fresh veggies make this cocktail a win-win.

A smoky flavor makes mezcal memorable on the palate. Sip it slowly to enjoy. Spritzers are ideal when the temperatures rise. Not only does this cut back on the alcohol and calorie content of each drink, but it also adds a hydrating element.

Sparkling wines and Champagne can be a relatively healthy way to enjoy an indulgent cocktail. A 5-ounce oz glass of red wine has about calories, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A 3 oz serving of dry vermouth contains calories, according to MedlinePlus. Some research has found dry vermouth contains significantly more polyphenols than white wine. Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds in plants that have been shown to help regulate metabolism, weight, and chronic disease, according to a study published September in Frontiers in Nutrition.

Your best bet when sipping alcohol is to have it straight, or with sparkling water or club soda, Zanini suggests. A 4 oz glass of Champagne has 85 calories.

A small study published in the Tokyo-based Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology found that women reported feeling more full after drinking sparkling water compared with flat. A Long Island Iced Tea, for example, will set you back about calories in one 8 oz glass, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A ounce craft beer runs about calories or more , according to MedlinePlus.