Corona Refresca is a flavored malt beverage made by the Mexican beer company Grupo Modelo. It comes in several fruit flavors like guava lime, coconut lime, and passionfruit lime. Corona Refresca is marketed as a light, refreshing drink with natural flavors and low carbs. But is it really a low carb beverage? Let’s take a closer look at the nutrition facts and ingredients to find out.
Nutrition Facts
Corona Refresca nutrition facts per 12 oz serving:
| Calories | 228 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 35 mg |
| Total Carbs | 17 g |
| Sugars | 12 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
The main thing to look at here for carbs is the total carbs, which comes out to 17 grams per 12 oz bottle.
For comparison, most regular beers have around 13-15 grams of carbs per 12 oz serving. So at 17 grams of carbs, Corona Refresca has slightly more carbs than a typical beer.
However, 17 grams of total carbs per 12 oz is still considered relatively low carb compared to many other flavored malt beverages and wine coolers which can easily top 30 grams of carbs per serving.
So while not completely carb-free, Corona Refresca is moderately low in carbs compared to many similar drinks.
Ingredients
The full ingredients list for Corona Refresca is:
Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Yucca Extract.
The main carb sources in Corona Refresca come from the cane sugar and citric acid. Yucca extract adds a small amount of carbs as well.
There are no high fructose corn syrups or artificial sweeteners used. The cane sugar adds a mildly sweet flavor and the 12 grams of sugar per serving reflects this.
So while not sugar-free, Corona Refresca relies on natural sources of sugar rather than artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup for its sweetness and carbs.
Low Carb or Not?
Based on the nutrition facts and ingredients, Corona Refresca can reasonably be considered a low carb drink, but not completely carb or sugar free.
At 17 grams of carbs and 12 grams of sugar per 12 oz bottle, it contains fewer carbs and less sugar than many similar flavored malt beverages and wine coolers. The carbs come mostly from natural cane sugar rather than artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup.
For people following a keto or very strict low-carb diet, Corona Refresca may contain too many carbs to fit their macros. But for the average low-carb dieter having the occasional drink, Corona Refresca is a relatively low carb option. It has roughly 3-4 less net carbs than a typical beer.
Drinkers looking for a truly low carb or carb-free adult beverage may want to opt for a hard seltzer, spirits like vodka and soda water, or dry wines instead.
But overall, Corona Refresca can be considered moderately low carb, especially compared to many other flavored malt beverages on the market. So if you are an occasional low carb dieter looking for a lighter, fruit-flavored drink, Corona Refresca will fit the bill nicely. Just be mindful of consumption as the carbs and calories can add up the more you drink.
Low Carb Dieting
Low carb diets limit carbohydrate intake in favor of increased protein and healthy fats. The goal is to help manage blood sugar levels and may also aid in weight loss.
Popular low carb diets include:
- Keto – Restricts carbs to 20-50 grams per day
- Paleo – Eliminates grains, legumes, dairy and processed foods
- Atkins – Begins with strict carb limitation of under 20 grams per day
- Low carb Mediterranean diet – Emphasizes healthy fats and proteins with fewer grains
When following a low carb diet, beers, wines and mixed drinks can be tricky due to their high carbohydrate content from residual sugars.
Some low carb alcohol options include:
- Dry wines – especially reds which are lower carb than whites
- Hard seltzers and light beers – Michelob Ultra, White Claw
- Distilled spirits like whiskey, tequila, vodka with no-calorie mixers
Going completely carb and alcohol free is also an option on low carb diets. But most plans allow for the occasional drink if desired, and Corona Refresca fits that need nicely.
Benefits of Low Carb Diets
Limiting carbohydrates and increasing protein and fat intake has several evidence-based health benefits:
- Blood Sugar Control – Low carb diets are particularly beneficial for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- Weight Loss – Reducing carbs often leads to a spontaneous decrease in calorie intake and boosted metabolism.
- Heart Health – Low carb diets have been shown to improve major heart disease risk factors like HDL, triglycerides and blood pressure.
- Mental Focus – Many report improved energy, concentration and mental clarity from carb restriction.
Downsides to watch out for include potential nutrient deficiencies if vegetable and fruit intake is too low. Monitoring hydration, electrolytes and fiber intake is also important on very low carb diets.
But overall, evidence supports low carb eating, especially for those with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, as a sustainable lifestyle for good health.
Tips for Drinking Alcohol on a Low Carb Diet
If you enjoy the occasional alcoholic beverage while following a low carb diet, here are some tips to keep your carbs in check:
- Stick to dry wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir which have around 3-4g carbs per 5oz glass.
- Opt for spirits like whiskey, tequila and vodka with zero carb mixers like soda water and lime.
- Michelob Ultra and Hard Seltzers have around 2-3g carbs for 12oz serving.
- Avoid beer, sweet wines, fruity cocktails and sugary mixers which are very high in carbs.
- Be mindful of portions – alcohol lowers inhibitions which can lead to overconsumption.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and mitigate alcohol effects.
- If hangovers are an issue, consider taking a break from drinking while on a low carb diet.
Following these tips will help you balance an occasional drink without getting kicked out of ketosis or sabotaging your low carb diet goals.
Low Carb Alcohol Options
If you are limiting carbs to 20-50 grams per day, here are the best low carb alcohol choices to keep you on track:
Dry Wines
| Wine | Carbs (5oz glass) |
|---|---|
| Pinot Noir | 3.4g |
| Merlot | 3.7g |
| Cabernet | 4.1g |
Low Carb Beers
| Beer | Carbs (12oz serving) |
|---|---|
| Michelob Ultra | 2.6g |
| Miller Lite | 3.2g |
| Budweiser Select | 3.1g |
Spirits
| Spirit | Carbs (1.5oz serving) |
|---|---|
| Vodka | 0g |
| Whiskey | 0g |
| Tequila | 0g |
So in summary, dry wines, low carb beers, and zero carb spirits are your best options when craving an adult beverage on a low carb diet. Just be mindful of overall consumption.
Making Your Own Low Carb Cocktails
One of the best ways to enjoy alcohol on a low carb diet is to mix your own custom cocktails using keto-friendly ingredients.
Some recipes to try:
Vodka Soda with Lime
– 2oz vodka
– 4oz soda water
– Squeeze of lime
Tequila Paloma
– 2oz tequila
– 3oz grapefruit soda
– Lime wedge
Whiskey and Diet Ginger Ale
– 2oz whiskey
– 4oz diet ginger ale
– Lime wedge
Dry Wine Spritzer
– 4oz dry red wine
– 2oz soda water
– Lemon wedge
Mixing spirits with zero carb sodas, a squeeze of citrus, and herbs like mint or basil allows you to still enjoy flavorful low carb cocktails at home. Just skip sweet mixers like juice, agave, or premixed cocktails which add unnecessary carbs.
Low Carb Store-Bought Beverages
If you want to purchase a pre-made low carb drink without mixing your own, here are some store-bought options:
Hard Seltzers – Brands like White Claw, Truly, and Bud Light Seltzer have around 2g carbs per 12oz can.
Hard Kombuchas – Flying Embers and JuneShine are under 5g net carbs for 12oz bottle.
Low Carb Beers – Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Bud Select 55 are all under 3.5g per bottle.
Low Carb Wines – Dry red wines like Cabernet and Pinot Noir or dry whites like Pinot Grigio are best at around 4g carbs per 5oz.
Avoid coolers, lemonades, ciders, and fruity malt beverages which often have 20-30g carbs per serving.
Sticking to seltzers, light beers, dry wines, and low carb specialty drinks makes it easiest to find pre-made low carb alcohol options. Just be sure to still account for carbs and calories in your daily intake.
Is Corona Refresca Keto-Friendly?
The ketogenic diet restricts carbs to only 20-50g per day to induce ketosis. Is Corona Refresca a keto-friendly drink option?
At 17g carbs and 12g sugar per 12oz bottle, Corona Refresca exceeds most keto dieters’ entire carb allowance in one drink.
While lower in carbs than many flavored malt beverages, Corona Refresca is too high in carbs to fit into a ketogenic diet. Even one bottle could potentially knock you out of ketosis.
Some keto-friendly alcohol options include:
- Dry wines – 3-4g carbs per glass
- Vodka soda with lime – 0g carbs
- Tequila on the rocks – 0g carbs
- Miller Lite – 2.8g carbs per bottle
So while Corona Refresca is relatively low carb compared to many drinks, at 17g carbs per bottle, it is too high in carbs to be keto-friendly for most following the ketogenic diet. Keto drinkers are better off choosing dry wines, spirits, seltzers, or light beers to remain under their daily carb limit.
Low Sugar vs. Low Carb
Low sugar and low carb diets have some overlap but ultimately have different approaches to limiting carbohydrates:
- Low Sugar – Restricts added sugars but allows other carbs like whole grains.
- Low Carb – Limits total carb intake from all sources including sugars, starches and fiber.
For example, a low sugar diet may include:
- Whole grain bread
- Brown rice
- Oatmeal
- Fruit
While a low carb diet would limit those foods in favor of:
- Non-starchy veggies
- Meat and poultry
- Fish and seafood
- Nuts and seeds
- Cheese
In terms of beverages, low sugar favors unsweetened coffee and tea, milk, nut milks, and high protein smoothies with minimal added sweeteners.
Low carb limits milk and sweetened drinks in favor of water, unsweetened tea, black coffee, and occasional low carb alcohol options.
Corona Refresca at 12g of sugar per bottle would be permitted on a low sugar diet but exceed most low carb dieters’ daily carb intake, since sugar alcohols contribute to total carbohydrate counts.
Other Low Carb Drink Ideas
While alcoholic drinks should be limited, there are many delicious non-alcoholic low carb drink options:
- Water – Add lemon, lime, cucumber or mint for flavor.
- Unsweetened Tea & Coffee – Hot or iced.
- Sparkling Water – Try flavored seltzers like La Croix.
- Diet Sodas – In moderation.
- Nut Milks – Like unsweetened almond or coconut milk.
- Protein Shakes – Made with nut milk and minimal low carb ingredients.
Get creative with infused waters, herbal iced teas, or shakes made with keto-friendly ingredients like collagen, MCT oil or avocado.
Steer clear of sweetened coffees, juices, sports drinks, soda, and energy drinks which can quickly spike blood sugar levels.
Stay hydrated with keto drinks to stay satisfied while keeping carbs to a minimum.
Conclusion
Is Corona Refresca low carb? Compared to many flavored malt beverages and wine coolers, Corona Refresca is moderately lower in carbs at 17g per 12oz bottle. The carbs come mostly from natural cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.
While not completely low carb or carb-free, Corona Refresca is a better option for occasional drinkers on a low carb diet than many mainstream flavored alcoholic drinks on the market. However, at 17g carbs it is too high for keto diets.
To stay in ketosis, keto dieters are better off choosing dry wines, spirits, seltzers, and light beers for the lowest carb and sugar alcohol options. Those on less strict low carb diets can enjoy Corona Refresca in moderation as the carbs and calories can add up quickly.
Overall, while not the absolute lowest carb option available, Corona Refresca is a relatively low carb flavored malt beverage for an occasional drink. But low carb dieters need to be mindful of the total carbs per bottle.
