Which Is More Harmful? Alcohol Vs Soft Drink (2024)

By Akinwale Akinyoade

13 September 2019 | 5:00 pm

It is next to impossible to avoid a good beverage especially during social interactions hence why it is necessary to make healthy choices in deciding which beverage to take. There is a long-standing debate on the merits of various beverages, including soft drinks and alcohol.Which one is the healthier choice? Continuing reading on the details…

Which Is More Harmful? Alcohol Vs Soft Drink (1)

It is next to impossible to avoid a good beverage especially during social interactions hence why it is necessary to make healthy choices in deciding which beverage to take.

There is a long-standing debate on the merits of various beverages, including soft drinks and alcohol.Which one is the healthier choice? Continuing reading on the details about the healthier choice between alcohol and soft drinks.

Nutrition:

If you are to compare alcohol and soft drinks from a nutrition point of view then alcohol is easily your winner as soft drinks have absolutely no nutritional value with processed sugar being one of the major components. Sugar will bring down your insulin resistance due to the rise of toxin influx in the body and this makes you a prey to diseases like diabetes. On the other hand, beer contains a small amount of protein due to the ingredients added when it is brewed for consumption and also containssome amount of antioxidants andpotassium.

Kilo calories:

Both alcohol and soft drinks contain plenty of kilo calories but on the parameter of kilo calories, soft drinks are a healthier choice over alcohol. Peopletend to drink soft drinks at a slower pace, which means that they consume less of it. Once you start enjoying an alcoholic drink, you tend to take more of them and much faster. Also, alcohol makes you hungry, which implies that you start reaching out for various kinds of snacks and other unhealthy food. In such cases, you will tend to gain weight much faster if you choose alcohol every time. This will not really be the case when you choose soft drinks.

Toxins:

Alcohol is brewed in such a way that ensures itcarries a lot of toxins, which are not good for the liver and heart in the long run. These toxins can easily clog the arteries and create complications for the functioning of the liver.

Glycemic index:This is the count that is accorded to the level ofinsulin resistancein one’s drink of choice. For alcohol, the glycemic resistance is much higher, which means that you have better insulin resistance as compared to other soft drinks, which are high insugarcontent. Therefore, it makes alcohol a highly unhealthy choice, which can also result indiabetesin the long run, if one ingests too much of it.

Please note, the medical information provided in this article is provided as an information resource only. This information does not create any patient-physician relationship and should not be used asa substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

Which Is More Harmful? Alcohol Vs Soft Drink (2024)

FAQs

Which Is More Harmful? Alcohol Vs Soft Drink? ›

As far as toxicity is concerned, alcohol has more troubling implications on your health than soft drinks. When you ingest a particular food or drink, it raises the level of sugar in your blood. This is the glycaemic index and a score between 0-100 is ascribed to all foods and drinks according to the sugar boost.

What is worse for your liver, soda or alcohol? ›

When you choose a sugary soda instead of alcohol every day, you may think you're doing your liver a favor. But that daily soft drink can be harmful, especially to your liver — as damaging as alcohol can be. Once it reaches the liver, the sugar in beverages can get converted into fat that's stored in liver cells.

Which is worse for health, alcohol or sugar? ›

When you compare the health outcomes of fructose versus alcohol consumption, you end up seeing a very familiar pattern – the diseases they cause are virtually identical! In reality the scientific literature shows that fructose may be far worse than ethanol in its wide-ranging negative impact on human health.

Which alcohol is the least damaging? ›

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. The CDC recommends you limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day if you're male and 1 if you're female.

What is the most unhealthiest alcohol? ›

Considered one of the most dangerous – and unhealthy – drinks, a Long Island iced tea doesn't actually contain any iced tea. Instead, it's a combination of vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec, topped with sour mix and soda. All together, that means one Long Island contains as many as 780 calories.

Is it better to drink soda or alcohol? ›

Though soft drinks can harm your body more, overconsumption of alcohol might lead to various health problems such as liver diseases, stroke, heart diseases, etc. It is always recommended to drink alcohol in moderation.

Will 6 beers a day cause liver damage? ›

Any amount of alcohol can cause liver damage. Drinking more than two drinks per day consistently increases your risk of liver disease. However, the degree of liver damage varies greatly between individuals and there is no “safe” amount of alcohol to drink that cannot potentially cause liver disease.

Is sugar harder on your liver than alcohol? ›

It can harm your liver, too. The organ uses one type of sugar, called fructose, to make fat. Too much refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup causes a fatty buildup that can lead to liver disease. Some studies show that sugar can be as damaging to the liver as alcohol, even if you're not overweight.

Which alcohol is least harmful to your kidneys? ›

We found your answer and voila! Red Wine. The advantage of red wine for the good condition of the kidneys is particularly based upon the process through which it is created. The process of fermentation of red wine is assorted together with the skins, seeds, and stem of the grape.

Which is more harmful, alcohol or soft drinks? ›

For alcohol, the glycemic resistance is much higher, which means that you have better insulin resistance as compared to other soft drinks, which are high in sugar content. Therefore, it makes alcohol a highly unhealthy choice, which can also result in diabetes in the long run, if one ingests too much of it.

What alcohol is hardest on your liver? ›

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.

What alcohol is hardest on your stomach? ›

Which alcohols affect your stomach most?
  • High-proof liquors.
  • Fortified wines.
  • High-ABV beers.
Aug 26, 2022

Is one drink a day bad for your liver? ›

Liver disease caused by alcohol is avoidable. Most reputable sources cite moderate alcohol consumption as 1 drink per day for women and 2 for men. In general, there isn't a type of alcoholic beverage that is safer for the liver.

What is the deadliest alcoholic drink? ›

The world's most dangerous alcoholic drinks include Absinthe, Bacardi 151, Changaa, Everclear, Death in the Afternoon, Four Lokos, Jungle Juice, Knockeen Hills, Moonshine, and Spirytus Rektyfikowany. Commonly referred to as the “green fairy,” absinthe was banned in the U.S. from 1915 to 2007.

What is the unhealthiest drink ever? ›

The 10 Unhealthiest Drinks
  • Naked Mighty Mango Juice, 57 grams of sugar. ...
  • Naked Blue Machine Juice, 55 grams. ...
  • Monster Emergy Drink, 54 grams.
  • AriZona Sweet Tea, 53 grams.
  • Naked Green Machine, 53 grams.
  • Starbucks Frappucino, 47 grams. ...
  • Mountain Dew, 46 grams.
  • Welch's Grape Juice, 44 grams.
Mar 18, 2024

What alcohol is the least inflammatory? ›

Red wine

Red wine is packed with beneficial antioxidants like resveratrol, which can help improve heart health and even lower inflammatory markers like CRP.

What are the three worst things for your liver? ›

Here are ten common habits that increase your risks for liver damage.
  1. Excessive Alcohol Drinking. ...
  2. Frequent Dining Out. ...
  3. Irregular Eating Schedules. ...
  4. Eating Fast Foods Regularly. ...
  5. Staying Indoors Often. ...
  6. Taking Herbal and Dietary Supplements (HDS) ...
  7. Engaging in Unprotected Sex. ...
  8. Intravenous Drug Abuse.

Which drink is less harmful for liver? ›

If a person still chooses to drink alcohol, they may consider that certain types of alcohol may be healthier options than others. These can include lower-calorie and high antioxidant options, such as red, white, and sparkling wine, low sugar co*cktails, light beer, and cider.

What's worse for you, soda or beer? ›

For alcohol, the glycemic resistance is much higher, which means that you have better insulin resistance as compared to other soft drinks, which are high in sugar content. Therefore, it makes alcohol a highly unhealthy choice, which can also result in diabetes in the long run, if one ingests too much of it.

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