Vodka Vs Beer: Which Alcoholic Drink Is Healthier?

Vodka and beer are two of the most popular alcoholic drinks, but which is healthier? Vodka is distilled and filtered, removing impurities and calories, resulting in a pure spirit with almost no nutritional value. Beer, on the other hand, is crafted by processing grains with warm water, releasing enzymes that turn starches into simple sugars, making it a calorie-dense beverage. Vodka has a longer shelf life than beer and can be used for alternative purposes, such as disinfecting wounds or cleaning surfaces. Vodka is also considered better for heart health as it increases blood circulation, cleans arteries, and prevents blood clots. However, beer contains phenolic compounds and antioxidants, mainly originating from barley malt and hops, which provide some health benefits. Ultimately, both drinks can be enjoyed in moderation, but vodka may be a healthier option due to its lower calorie count and additional health benefits.

Vodka has fewer calories than beer

Vodka has a lower calorie count than beer. Vodka is made through a calculated distillation process. Beer crafters go through mashing, lautering, boiling, fermenting, and bottling the product before sale. The mashing step involves mashing crushed grains with water that is warm enough to activate the enzymes, turning starches into short-chain sugars. Vodka distillers, on the other hand, mash, ferment, and distill the product before sale. Vodka is distilled between one and six times and then filtered. The distillation leaves nothing behind but the alcohol itself. The reduction in caloric content when compared to beer is due to this distillation process.

Beer is a high-calorie beverage because of the fermentation process. Vodka is less likely to trigger weight gain, making it the go-to beverage if you're on a strict diet or trying to lose weight. Vodka is also a good choice if you're on a low-carb diet. It has zero carbs, while beer contains carbohydrates.

Vodka is also a better choice if you're watching your blood sugar. While vodka has no effect on blood sugar, beer interferes with glucose levels in the body, causing you to feel hungrier and eat more.

However, it's important to note that the number of calories in vodka drinks can add up quickly, especially if you're mixing vodka with sugary juices or sodas. A single shot of vodka typically has less than 100 calories, but consuming just three vodka drinks adds 300 calories to your daily intake, similar to a McDonald's cheeseburger.

Vodka has alternative uses

Vodka has a multitude of alternative uses, thanks to its high alcohol content and disinfectant properties. Here are some of them:

Disinfectant and Steriliser

Vodka is an effective disinfectant and steriliser. It can be used to clean household surfaces, including countertops, bathrooms, windows, mirrors, and glass. It can also be used to disinfect an open wound, but only as a last resort as it will sting.

Hair Care

Mixing vodka with water and using it to rinse your hair can help fight dandruff and promote hair health. Vodka's low pH can cleanse the scalp, eliminate toxins, stimulate hair growth, control frizz, and add shine.

Personal Hygiene

Vodka can be used as a mouthwash and an aftershave. Its disinfectant properties can help kill bacteria and neutralise odours, leaving you feeling fresh.

Insect Repellent

Vodka can be used as a natural insect repellent. Simply pour some into a spray bottle and spritz it on your skin to keep insects at bay.

Pain Relief

Swishing vodka around your mouth can help numb toothache pain. It can also be applied to cotton and placed on the gums above a sore tooth to alleviate pain. Additionally, pouring vodka over an open blister can act as an anaesthetic and clean the wound.

Odour Neutraliser

Vodka can neutralise odours on clothes, furniture, and shoes. Its disinfectant properties can kill odour-causing bacteria, leaving your belongings smelling fresh.

Mould and Mildew Remover

Spraying vodka on affected areas can help kill mould, mildew, and other bathroom germs. Let it soak for a few minutes before wiping the area clean.

Jewellery and Cutlery Cleaner

Soaking jewellery and cutlery in vodka for a few minutes can bring back their shine. Rinse them with water and dry them thoroughly for best results.

Rust Remover

Soaking rusted items such as screws and scissors in vodka for a few hours can help loosen rust. After soaking, rub the rust off gently with a cloth.

Plant Preserver

Adding a few drops of vodka to cut flowers or plants can extend their lifespan. This is because vodka can act as a preservative, keeping them looking bright and fresh for longer.

Stain Remover

Vodka can be used to remove stains from carpets, couches, and clothes. Its solvent properties can help lift ink, red wine, and food stains. Simply dab the stain with a vodka-soaked cloth and blot with a dry towel after a few minutes.

Alternative to Windex

Vodka can be used to clean glass and mirrors, removing streaks and hairspray residue. Its odourless and colourless properties make it ideal for streak-free cleaning.

Pie Crust Enhancer

When baking, substituting a third of the water in your pie crust recipe with vodka can create a more tender and flaky crust. This is because vodka contains less water than pure water, resulting in reduced gluten formation.

These alternative uses for vodka showcase its versatility beyond being a popular alcoholic beverage. From household cleaning to personal care, vodka can be a handy and effective solution for various needs.

Vodka is better for your heart

Vodka has been shown to be better for your heart than beer. Firstly, vodka has zero carbohydrates, whereas beer contains carbohydrates as well as ethanol. Beer can cause weight gain, which is linked to a higher risk of heart disease. Vodka is also distilled several times, leaving nothing behind but the alcohol itself, whereas beer contains more calories due to its fermentation process.

The distillation process in vodka production reduces the caloric content, making it less likely to trigger weight gain. Vodka can also improve overall heart health by reducing cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, ensuring good blood circulation and keeping high blood pressure at bay. Beer, on the other hand, can worsen existing cardiovascular conditions if consumed in excess.

It is important to note that excessive alcohol consumption of any kind can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. However, drinking vodka in moderation can be a healthier option than beer when it comes to heart health.

Additionally, vodka has been used as a medicinal elixir in the past, originating in the mountains of Poland and Russia, where it was consumed during harsh winters. While vodka may offer some benefits for heart health, it is important to always consume alcohol in moderation and consult with a doctor or medical professional for specific advice.

Beer causes weight gain, vodka doesn't

Beer and vodka are vastly different from one another, in both utility and origin. Beer is often associated with an increase in body fat, particularly around the belly, commonly referred to as a "beer belly". On the other hand, vodka is less likely to trigger weight gain, making it the preferred drink for those on a strict diet or trying to lose weight.

Beer is an alcoholic drink made from grain, such as barley, wheat, or rye, that has been fermented with yeast. The nutritional value of beer varies by type, but a 12-oz (355-ml) serving of regular beer with approximately 4% alcohol content contains around 153 calories. The calorie content of beer depends on its strength—the more alcohol it contains, the more calories it contains. Beer is high in carbohydrates and alcohol but low in almost all other nutrients.

Vodka, on the other hand, is made through a distillation process. Vodka distillers mash, ferment, and then distill the product before sale. Vodka is distilled 1-6 times and then filtered, leaving behind nothing but the alcohol itself. This distillation process reduces the calorie count of vodka when compared to beer. Vodka has a lower calorie count than beer, with about 68-85 calories per ounce for 80-100 proof vodka.

Drinking beer can cause weight gain, including belly fat. More than one beer a day or regular binge drinking raises your risk of belly fat gain and other health problems. Beer may cause weight gain in several ways:

• It increases your calorie intake: Beer contains as many calories as a soft drink, so it can add a lot of calories to your diet.
• It may prevent fat burning: Alcohol prevents your body from burning fat because your body prioritizes breaking down alcohol over other sources of fuel, including stored fat.
• It contains phytoestrogens: The hops used to flavour beer are high in phytoestrogens, plant compounds that can mimic the female sex hormone estrogen. Beer's phytoestrogen content may cause hormonal changes in men that increase the risk of storing belly fat.

While it is possible to gain weight from drinking alcohol, it is not inevitable. Whether you gain weight from drinking alcohol depends on various factors, including your drinking behaviours, what you eat when you drink, your level of physical activity, and your unique body and lifestyle.

In conclusion, beer causes weight gain, particularly around the belly, while vodka does not. Vodka's lower calorie count and lack of fermentation process make it a better choice for those concerned about weight gain.

Vodka has a longer shelf life

Vodka has a much longer shelf life than beer. Beer usually comes with a specific expiry date that lasts a couple of years. Vodka, on the other hand, has an indefinite shelf life if unopened and stored properly.

Unopened vodka does not expire because it has hardly any additives. It can be stored almost indefinitely in a cool, dark place. Vodka producers recommend using an unopened bottle within 30 to 50 years to experience its ideal potency and flavor.

Even after opening, vodka has a long shelf life. An unflavored bottle of vodka is shelf-stable for about 10 to 20 years before the potency starts to break down with oxidation. This is because vodka has a high alcohol content, which is inhospitable to bacteria and mold.

Beer, on the other hand, has a very short shelf life once opened. It will go flat within a day of being opened and will become stale just a day or two after that.

The long shelf life of vodka makes it a more versatile drink than beer. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed into warm or cold drinks. Its long shelf life also makes it a good option for well drinks.

To maximize the shelf life of vodka, it is important to store it properly. It should be kept in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. The bottle should be stored upright with the cap fully closed to minimize oxidation and potential contamination.

Frequently asked questions