What Has More Calories: A Glass of Wine or a Light Beer?

What Has More Calories: A Glass of Wine or a Light Beer?
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About 46 percent of Americans over the age of 21 consume alcohol regularly, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Given the potential health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, many people are seeking low-calorie ways to incorporate their favorite drinks into their diets.

Calories in Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol contains approximately 7 calories per gram. A 5-ounce glass of wine and a 12-ounce light beer contain approximately the same amount of alcohol and a similar total calorie content.

Calories in a Glass of Wine

A standard, 5-ounce glass of wine contains approximately 80 to 100 calories. In most wines, all of the calories derive from the alcohol content.

Calories in a Light Beer

A 12-ounce serving of light beer contains approximately 60 to 120 calories. In addition to the calories derived from alcohol, beer contains carbohydrates in the form of wheat, barley and other grains. The content of these grains can vary greatly among different types of beers and alter the calorie content.

References

Article reviewed by Greg Duran Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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