Hard liquors or spirits, such as whiskey, vodka and tequila, are distilled and therefore contain no carbohydrates. However, because of its high alcohol content, liquor is high in calories and can contribute to weight gain. Alcohol actually contains more calories per gram than carbohydrates, so the higher the proof of alcohol you're drinking, the higher the calorie count.
The Low-Carb Myth
Despite America's "low-carb" obsession of recent years, it is a myth that just because a food or drink, such as liquor, doesn't contain carbohydrates, it won't cause you to gain weight. If you eat or drink too many calories, regardless of whether they come from alcohol, carbohydrates, protein or fat, you will gain weight. Although carbs contain calories -- 4 per gram, the same as protein -- that can cause weight gain if consumed excessively, some foods, including alcohols and fats, are high in calories despite containing no or low carbohydrates. Therefore, contrary to advertisements implying liquor's "zero carb" status means it's diet-friendly, the truth is that liquor contributes to weight gain just as much, if not more so, than carb-containing alcoholic drinks such as wine or beer.
Liquor and Weight Gain
While distilled liquor doesn't contain carbohydrates, drinking liquor may result in weight gain in several ways. For one, liquor has a high alcohol content, which means it is high in calories while providing zero nutrition. Alcohol contains 9 calories per gram -- the same as fat -- or about 110 calories per 1.5-oz. shot of 80-proof spirits. Since alcohol doesn't contain any nutrients, drinking liquor doesn't cause you to feel full. Drinking actually stimulates your appetite while lowering your inhibitions, making you more likely to overindulge in other foods while under the influence. Additionally, your body processes alcohol before it processes fat, protein or carbs. Thus, consuming liquor further contributes to weight gain by slowing the burning of fat.
Carbs and Cocktails
Although liquor, by itself, is high in calories, it is usually taken with a chaser or mixer, which adds further calories, including carbohydrates from sugar. The per-serving calorie and carbohydrate counts for some popular cocktails made with liquor are as follows: one margarita contains 740 calories and 56 g of carbs; a vodka tonic has 200 calories and 14 g of carbs; a mojito contains 160 calories and 14 g of carbs; and a Long Island iced tea has 780 calories and 44 g of carbs. Even though they contain some carbs, wine or beer, which provide about 100 to 150 calories per serving, may be more diet-friendly drink choices compared to your favorite mixed drink.
Considerations
While liquor can contribute to weight gain, particularly when consumed in excess or in mixed drinks, you may be able to drink moderately and not gain weight as long as you cut calories from other places in your diet. Moderate drinking is defined by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as up to one alcoholic beverage per day for women and two drinks for men. Moderate drinking may also confer certain health benefits such as reducing your risk for heart disease, stroke, heart attack, gallstones and diabetes, according to MayoClinic.com. By contrast, heavy drinking, including occasional binge drinking in which you consume four or five drinks within a few hours, puts you at risk for serious diseases, including certain cancers, high blood pressure and heart failure. Therefore, whether you drink liquor or other types of alcohol, it's important to drink moderately or not at all.
References
- UC Berkeley Wellness Letter; Alcohol and the Low-Carb Myth; August 2004
- Health Services at Columbia University; Go Ask Alice: Do Drinking and Weight Loss Mix?; Oct.11, 2002
- FitSugar.com; Cocktail Breakdown; Dec. 29, 2006
- dLife.com: Carbs & Cocktails
- MayoClinic.com; Alcohol Use: If You Drink, Keep it Moderate; March 15, 2011
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