Because alcohol contains, in essence, empty calories, the American Dietetic Association recommends that Americans limit their intake of intake of wine, beer and hard liquor in favor of more healthy beverages. In addition, over consumption of alcohol can have severely detrimental effects on a person's health. It can lead to increased levels of triglycerides, high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, cardiomyopathy and obesity.
Wine
Wine averages about 100 calories for 5 oz. and has relatively low carbohydrate and sugar content (less than 3 g), regardless of its color. Dessert wines are an exception; a 3.5 oz. serving contains about 160 calories, 14 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of sugar.
While wine does not contain a great deal of USDA-recommended vitamins and minerals, many studies have shown a correlation between red wine and reduced heart disease risk. This may be due to its makeup of flavonoids, which are contained in red grapes, as well as other antioxidants. Wine also has been shown to slightly increase HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).
Beer
Twelve oz. of major-label U.S. beer contains, on average, between 90 calories (for light beer) and 150 calories (for non-light varieties). Compared to other alcoholic beverages, beer has a high sodium level, at 11 to 14 mg, on average. Non-light beer also has a great deal of carbohydrates: more than 12 g. While light beer only contains a little over 4.5 g of carbohydrates, it also has 4.5 g of sugar. Non-light beer typically has no sugar content or very little. Unless labeled as light beer, European import beers and microbrewery beers have, on average, higher calories and more carbohydrates than major-label U.S. beers.
Hard Liquors
While the calories contained in hard liquors can vary depending on the liquor, typical liquors contain no carbohydrates or sugars. Vodka, gin, rum and whiskey have about 60 calories per ounce. Tequila contains approximately 70 calories per ounce, and sake has 40 calories per ounce.
Because hard alcohol is typically mixed with very sweet beverages, the final calorie content of a mixed drink can range from 100 to 1,500 calories. A 4-oz. cosmopolitan contains 213 calories, while a 12-oz. margarita (the size of an average margarita glass) contains 540 calories.
Digestifs and Liqueurs
While they are usually consumed in small quantities, the calorie and sugar content in digestifs and liqueurs tend to be extremely high and can lead to weight gain if drunk regularly. For example, 1 oz. of Kahlua contains 90 calories and 14 g of sugar. Crème de cacao, limoncello and Drambuie contain 100 calories per oz., and crème de menthe has 123 calories per oz. Brandy, the lowest-calorie digestif, contains approximately 56 calories per oz.
Psychological Effects and Weight Gain
Because alcohol consumption has been shown to lower a person's inhibitions, it can often lead to overeating, especially at night or at parties where a great deal of snack food is present. Dietitians recommend eating a small meal at home before attending parties and limiting alcohol intake to avoid excessive weight gain, particularly during the holidays.
A 2009 study by the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Research Institute also linked excessive alcohol intake to obesity and depression.
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