For the most part, alcoholic drinks and beverages provide very little nutritional value. In fact, they can actually inhibit your body’s ability to absorb nutrition from other foods.
Inhibits Nutrient Absorption
Alcohol is devoid of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and protein unless it is paired with a mixer that contains these nutrients. In addition to being a poor source of nutrition, alcoholic drinks and beverages can also impair your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Some of the nutrients affected by alcohol include vitamin B12, folic acid, Vitamin B1 (thiamin), and zinc.
Low Nutritional Value
Though the details vary among certain types of alcoholic drinks and beverages, most of them are high in calories and low in vitamins and minerals. Alcoholic drinks and beverages tend to be high in carbohydrate as well, but low in both fats and protein – they are generally not consider to be a good source of nutrition. Refer to the calorie calculator for your favorite alcoholic drinks and beverages for the calories and nutritional information.
While over-indulging in alcoholic drinks and beverages is certainly bad for your health, many studies have identified a link between the moderate consumption of alcohol and certain health benefits. Refer to the calorie counter for your favorite alcoholic drinks and beverages for the calories and nutritional information.
Reduced Risk for Cardiac Disease
Many studies have shown that the moderate consumption of alcohol can help to reduce your risk for cardiac disease as well as for stroke and various forms of cognitive decline. This is not to say that drinking alcoholic drinks and beverages with every meal is healthy, but enjoying the occasional drink could have a positive impact on your cardiac and cognitive health. Non-alcoholic beer has also been shown to mirror these cardiovascular benefits.
Dangers of Over-Indulging
Over-indulging in alcohol, typically referred to as binge drinking, can have a number of negative effects on your health – especially if you do it on a regular basis. In addition to putting you more at risk for physical injuries and risky or dangerous behaviors, binge drinking may lead to alcohol poisoning, a condition that is very serious and requires emergency medical care. Chronic binge drinking may also lead to anemia, cirrhosis of the liver, increased risk for heart attack, gout, high blood pressure, and an increased risk for certain types of cancer.
