It’s a sticking point for many people trying to cut back on the sweet stuff, who will happily eschew cake and cookies but throwback three glasses of red during a happy hour. Which raises the question: How sugary is alcohol, really? And why should we care? “Insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas to allow your cells to take in glucose (blood sugar) for energy or storage, prevents fat cells from being broken down,” LeVeque says. “When you elevate insulin by eating [or drinking], it can contribute to chronically elevated insulin, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and increased hunger and cravings.” All that said, let’s get back to the question at hand: What should you be drinking if you’re concerned about blood sugar and hormone balance? Among wine and beer, the amount of sugar differs by the type of drink: Drier wines contain less sugar because the yeast has consumed the sugar naturally present in the fruit during fermentation, while dessert wines, like port, contain more. Interestingly, cheaper wines tend to contain more sugar, because wine makers let them ferment for less time to speed up their route to market, and because the residual sweetness makes the wine more palatable even when its lacking nuance. That’s only part of the story, though. “One of the biggest myths about alcohol is that it [always] turns into sugar,” explains Graham. “The bigger story is how it’s metabolized and [how it can] increase weight gain—which has little to do with sugar.” This process is all about what’s happening in the liver. “The liver prefers to metabolize the alcohol before anything else,” explains Graham. “That’s why doctors will tell you not to have Tylenol at the same time as alcohol; they’ll both take precedence in the liver, putting too much strain on it.” Because of this, the liver will prioritize the breakdown of alcohol above fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, leading it to slow down the burning of fat, which can contribute to weight gain (FYI in case weight is a concern for you). That said, “I like a fat Cab or the hoppy IPA,” Graham laughs. “While it’s technically a worse choice wellness-wise, I also think it’s important to live life with gusto and not feel guilty. If you want to have something, have a tiny bit of it and close your eyes and really enjoy it. That’s what life’s all about.” If you do want to make a cocktail, may we suggest these healthier versions?
