When the discussion of health and nutrition is brought to the table, talking about the drinks we consume can be equally important as what food we eat. As both beer and sugary sodas have their own downsides, making a healthy choice can be pretty stretching. In the battle of beer vs soda, which one would be a better choice? Is beer healthier than soda? Read on to find some interesting information that would help you make an informed choice.
Beer Vs. Soda: Head-to-Head Comparison
Every other person you meet or interact with either is fond of drinking soda or loves to sip on a chilled mug of beer. While both drinks can impact health when consumed in excess, a lot of people argue that beer is somewhat better than sodas.
To find out whether it’s just a myth or a genuine fact, let’s compare both drinks in terms of different factors. It will help you get an idea of how these drinks impact your body and which one should you prefer to minimize adverse effects on your overall health and well-being.
Is Beer Healthier Than Soda? Important Factors to Consider
Nutritional Value
If you compare beer and soda from a nutritional perspective, then beer hands down take the cake as most of the soft drinks basically have no nutritional value at all.
Processed sugar is the primary ingredient in sodas that reduces insulin resistance and makes the body vulnerable to a lot of diseases, including diabetes.
Contrary to this, beer contains some protein, potassium, and antioxidants because of the ingredients used in the brewing process.
Soft drinks have no health benefits and contain absolutely zero minerals and vitamins. Beer, on the other hand, does have some nutritional value and health benefits but, of course, is not sufficient to provide your body with the right amount of nutrients.
Calorie Count
Soda and beer are both packed with a lot of calories, but from a calorie perspective, sodas are a bit healthier than beer. Soft drinks are usually consumed slowly, and a person would rarely sip on an entire bottle of Cola in one sitting.
On the other hand, people who drink beer tend to enjoy it more and keep on drinking mug over the mug to satisfy their urge. Also, alcoholic drinks make you feel hungry, and you are most likely to grab some snacks or fast food to calm down the hunger pangs. In such scenarios, you are more likely to gain weight.
Hydration
When discussing drinks and beverages, it’s pertinent to mention the hydration factor. When you open your fridge on a warm day, your foremost preference would be to sip on cold water. But if you were given a choice where you had to pick either a can of soda or beer, what would you opt for?
One major ingredient in beer is water, but alcohol is a diuretic, so you might not feel hydrated even after consuming too much of it. On the other hand, caffeine, a major ingredient in soft drinks, is also a diuretic. But consuming a sugary drink when thirsty may make you thirstier.
Both drinks may not be able to quench your thirst, but beer may be a better option to drink when you feel thirsty.
Toxins
During the brewing process, a lot of toxins make their way into the beer. These toxic particles aren’t really good for heart and liver health. The toxins have the potential to clog the arteries and may disrupt the way a liver functions.
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index is the count that is used to measure the level of insulin resistance in a drink. Beer usually has a high glycemic resistance, and soda, on the other hand, has a low glycemic index as it has a higher sugar content. From an insulin resistance perspective, beer is somewhat better than soda drinks.
Addictive Properties
Beer and soft drinks like Coca-Cola have been proven to cause the release of the happiness hormone endorphins. People who drink beer or soda regularly slowly build up a tolerance, and to feel happy and satisfied, they need to drink more so that a sufficient amount of endorphins are released.
So, apparently, both drinks have addictive properties. The only major difference is that people who drink more beer become more intoxicated. This may result in poor attention and decision-making and can be quite dangerous.
Correlation with Disease
People who love to drink sodas are of the view that beer is the culprit. But actually, that’s not the case. Both soda and beer can cause the same type of disease when consumed in excess. Liver, heart, and kidney diseases are common among people who drink alcohol and soft drinks.
However, a major life-threatening disease, diabetes, is caused primarily by sodas. Diabetes is the cause of millions of deaths per year across the globe. Sugar is the main culprit behind diabetes, and sodas are ridiculously high in sugar content.
So, Which One is better? Soda or Beer?
If you look closely, both drinks can cause health complications when consumed in excess. A lot of people believe sodas may be less harmful, but it’s just a myth. A soft drink, when drunk daily, can harm human health, vitality, and well-being. Both beer and soft drinks have their own downsides and should be consumed moderately to enjoy good health for years.
If you like drinking soft drinks, do that only occasionally, as the high sugar content can cause diabetes, acne, poor dental health, depression, and skin diseases.
If you love consuming beer, do that in moderation. Every beer has a different amount of alcohol. If you get overwhelmed thinking you consume too much alcohol, keep a check and limit your consumption. You may opt for beers with a low alcohol content or drink non-alcoholic beer to minimize the side effects.
Conclusion
When choosing between beer and soda, it’s important to take into consideration what you are actually concerned about, consuming high sugar content or alcohol intake. With the factors discussed above, we can say that beer may be a healthier choice when consumed moderately.
The medical information shared in this article is for informative purposes only. You should always consider a healthcare practitioner for sound medical advice and should not only rely on the information posted on this platform.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
