Vodka soda with lime has become an increasingly popular drink in recent years. With the rise of low-carb diets like keto, people view it as a lower calorie alcoholic beverage. But is vodka soda actually a healthy option? Here we’ll explore the nutritional profile of vodka sodas and whether they provide any health benefits or risks.
What’s in a Vodka Soda?
A vodka soda is a simple highball cocktail containing just a few ingredients:
- Vodka – Typically 1.5 ounces
- Club soda or seltzer water
- Fresh lime juice – Around 1/2 ounce
It’s usually served over ice in a highball or collins glass. The soda provides carbonation and dilution, while the lime adds a touch of flavor and acidity to balance the vodka’s alcohol kick.
Unlike more complex cocktails, a vodka soda contains no added sugars or extra calories beyond the alcohol. But that doesn’t necessarily make it a “healthy” beverage.
Nutritional Profile of Vodka Sodas
Calories and Carbs
A 1.5 ounce shot of vodka contains around 96 calories [1]. Club soda and lime juice add minimal calories, so a typical 5 ounce vodka soda made with 1.5 ounces vodka contains roughly 100 calories.
Most of those calories come from the alcohol itself. Vodka contains no carbohydrates, fat, fiber or protein. Any carbs in a vodka soda come from the lime juice, at around 1 gram per ounce. So a standard drink made with .5 ounce of lime juice contains about 2 grams of carbs.
Vitamins and Minerals
Plain vodka is nutritionally void – it contains no vitamins, minerals or other nutrients. The same goes for club soda, which is just carbonated water.
The lime juice, however, does provide some nutritional value. A 1/2 ounce serving of fresh lime juice contains [2]:
- 3% DV vitamin C
- 1% DV folate
- 1% DV potassium
So while vodka sodas can’t compete with fruit and vegetable juices in terms of nutrients, the lime does add a small dose of vitamin C and minerals.
Health Benefits of Vodka Sodas
Despite the minimal nutritional value, some claim that vodka sodas have certain health advantages:
Low in Sugar and Calories
One perceived benefit of vodka sodas is they are lower in calories and sugar compared to other mixed drinks. A margarita or piña colada can contain 300 calories or more, while a vodka soda clocks in around 100 calories.
This makes vodka sodas appealing for people watching their weight and limiting calorie intake. The combination of alcohol with sugary mixers like juice or soda is particularly problematic, as alcohol lowers inhibitions which can lead to overconsumption.
With no added sugars and just a squirt of lime, vodka sodas avoid this issue entirely. The low carb and calorie profile makes them keto-diet friendly as well.
May Promote Hydration
Alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing fluid loss through increased urination. This can lead to dehydration, especially when consuming multiple alcoholic drinks.
Some claim that the water content in vodka sodas helps replenish fluids and prevent dehydration. But studies show the diuretic effects of alcohol far outweigh any hydration benefits [3]. Your body cannot properly absorb and utilize the water in vodka sodas to maintain adequate hydration.
Healthier than Other Alcoholic Beverages
Compared to beer, wine or sugary cocktails, vodka sodas are lower in calories and carbs. They could be viewed as the “healthier” alcoholic beverage option:
| Drink | Calories | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka soda (1.5 oz vodka) | 100 | 2 |
| Beer (12 oz) | 150 | 12 |
| Wine (5 oz) | 120 | 5 |
| Margarita (12 oz) | 460 | 50 |
But since all alcoholic drinks lack nutrients, vodka sodas don’t offer clear nutritional advantages over other options. And for health, consuming any alcoholic beverage only in moderation is key.
Potential Health Risks
Despite the low calorie and carb content, vodka sodas do come with some potential downsides:
High Alcohol Content
Vodka is distilled at a higher proof than beer or wine, meaning it packs a bigger punch in terms of alcohol percentage. A standard 1.5 ounce shot of vodka is 40% alcohol by volume (ABV).
This high alcohol content means it’s easier to overdo it with vodka compared to lower proof drinks. Overconsumption of alcohol carries risks like impaired judgment, motor coordination issues, dulled senses and reflexes, and the potential for alcohol poisoning.
The lack of added flavors and sugars in a vodka soda also makes it very easy to drink. With no bitterness to offset the alcohol burn, vodka sodas can go down quickly – which can lead to intoxication and its associated risks.
Dehydration
While vodka sodas may seem hydrating due to the water content, alcohol actually causes dehydration. Alcohol suppresses the body’s release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which normally helps the kidneys retain water [4].
This leads to increased urination and fluid loss. Even if you’re sipping vodka sodas made with hydrating soda water, the vodka itself counteracts any hydration benefits. Dehydration from alcohol can contribute to symptoms like dizziness, headache, dry mouth and fatigue.
No Nutritional Value
Unlike fruit juices, wine, or beer, vodka sodas offer no nutritional benefits – only empty alcohol calories. Some research suggests that getting a portion of daily calories from alcohol versus other sources may have detrimental health effects [5].
Frequent vodka soda drinkers miss out on an opportunity to consume drinks with protective substances like antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals.
Interferes with Weight Loss
While vodka sodas are low in calories and carbs compared to other alcoholic drinks, alcohol itself provides 7 calories per gram – just under fat (9 calories/gram). It offers calories without nutrition.
Alcohol also lowers inhibitions and willpower, which can lead to poor food choices. Consuming alcohol before a meal has been shown to increase total food intake at that meal by up to 16% [6].
For those watching their weight, alcoholic drinks like vodka sodas can sabotage diet and weight loss efforts.
The Verdict
Vodka sodas offer a low calorie, low sugar option compared to other mixed alcoholic drinks. But the minimal nutritional value, high alcohol content, and dehydrating effect make them far from a healthy choice.
Here are some key takeaways on vodka sodas and health:
- Vodka sodas are low in calories (around 100 per serving), carbs and sugar compared to beers, wines and cocktails.
- They provide hydration from the soda water, but the dehydrating effect of alcohol likely outweighs this benefit.
- Lime juice provides a small amount of vitamin C and minerals, but otherwise vodka sodas lack nutrients.
- The high alcohol content and lack of flavor means vodka sodas go down smoothly, which can lead to intoxication and its associated health risks.
- Alcohol provides empty calories and suppresses satiety, which can sabotage weight loss efforts.
- Water or seltzer with lime offers hydration and vitamin C without the negative effects of alcohol.
Overall, while vodka sodas are a lower calorie alcoholic option, they provide little nutrition. Consumed in excess, they can lead to intoxication and interfere with health and wellness goals. For the health conscious, minimizing alcohol intake or choosing non-alcoholic alternatives may be the wisest route. But if you do opt to imbibe, enjoying vodka sodas in moderation is far preferable to consuming higher calorie cocktails and drinks.
References
- https://www.nutritionix.com/food/vodka
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169141/nutrients
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/pot-and-alcohol-a-dangerous-mix
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257708/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15697691
