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Alcohol Carbohydrates

What are the benefits of carbohydrates in alcohol? Please list the carbohydrate content of some alcoholic drinks.
(February 28, 2011)

In recent years, the increasing rise of obesity and its associated risks have drawn people’s attention to various “low carb” diets that are popularized by many carbohydrate diet books. People very often make their food choices based on the advice provided by these books.  Some are of the belief that the beer’s carbohydrate levels are low and dieters need not necessarily have to make a choice between their favorite light beer and their low-carb lifestyle. Well, the quantity of beer carbohydrates depends on the recipe that is used by the brewer.

Brewers who want to market their products as “low calorie” or with lesser beer carbohydrates should aim at developing products with low alcohol levels as this is the main source of beer calories. The alcohol calories per gram are around seven, as a result of which it is fairly high-caloric.


The alcohol calories per gram or ounce are more than that found in protein and carbs. It is best that those on a calorie-controlled diet avoid the calories in alcohol, especially if they are unable to keep a track of their calorie intake with the help of an alcohol calories counter. Alcohol also makes you feel hungrier, and this, in turn, results in an increase in the amount of calories you consume.  

Here’s a list of carbohydrates found in various beverages. This is just a rough guideline for the total carbohydrate values. The carbohydrates found in these beverages could, as mentioned earlier, vary from product to product, depending on the brewer. 

• Beer carbohydrates (1 pint) – 12 g
• Vodka carbohydrates (100 ml) – 0.5 g
• White wine carbohydrates sweet (100 ml) – 3.5 g
• Red wine carbohydrates (100 ml) – 0.5 g

We need to remember that all wines have carbohydrates. Alcoholic beverages that might have zero-carb content are products that are distilled. The fermentation process always leaves behind some residue of sugar as carbs. Another important fact we might not be aware of is that the glycemic index of wine, beer, and products that are distilled zero. Those who are following a diet plan that keeps a track of the glycemic load of drink and food can enjoy a drink or two. Studies show that a small or moderate alcoholic drink can be good for the health.  Drinking excessive alcohol increases your risk of liver disease, coronary heart disease, and certain types of cancers.  It is therefore important that one controls his/her intake of alcoholic drinks. 
Submitted by R B on February 28, 2011 at 04:32

 

carbohydrates in Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages have been used since years. The calorific value of alcohol is 7 kcal per gram and the caloric intake is increased if the person is consuming too much of alcohol. In case of distilled liquors like whisky, brandy, gin and rum the calorific value is due to alcohol and hence consumption of 100 ml of distilled liquors can yield up to 230 calories. Beer and wine contains malted barley and fruit juices in their preparation and hence contain some nutrients and hence their calorific value will be higher than distilled liquors.350 ml of beer provides up to 150 Kcal and 100 ml of wine can provide up to 80 calories.

As a drug the effects of alcohol vary from mild stimulation if small amounts are consumed to a loss of coordination and death if consumed in large amounts. The three main classes of alcoholic beverages are wine, malted beverages and distilled liquors. These beverages can vary according to the different starting material and the method of their preparation. But one thing is common which is they are made by the process of fermentation. The essential step in fermentation is conversion of glucose to alcohol with the help of yeast that can catalyze the breakdown of glucose.

Carbohydrate are not the main source of energy, it's the excess intake of alcohol that can increase the caloric value.

Submitted by A M on July 2, 2008 at 04:46

 

Alcohol Carbohydrates

There exists no benefit from the carbohydrates in alcohol. Alcoholic drinks comprise of lesser carbohydrates, in comparison to non alcoholic drinks.

A list of alcoholic beverages with their carbohydrate contents are given below:

Twelve fluid ounce of beer contains 13 grams of carbohydrates.
3.5 fl oz of red wine- 1.75 grams
1 pint cider- 15 grams
2 fl oz of port- 6 grams
12 fl oz of light beer- 4.5 grams


Submitted by E L on April 11, 2008 at 06:36

 

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