Quick Answer
Both alcohol and wine contain calories and can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. However, alcohol is generally more calorie dense than wine. A standard serving of wine (5 oz) contains about 120-130 calories while a serving of spirits like whiskey or vodka contains about 100 calories. This means spirits will generally have more calories ounce for ounce.
However, wine often has a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) than spirits. So a 5 oz glass of wine at 15% ABV would contain more alcohol than a 1.5 oz shot of 80 proof (40% ABV) spirits. Since alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, the higher alcohol content of wine means more calories.
Overall, drinks with a higher alcohol content tend to be more fattening. But it also depends on serving sizes – a small glass of wine is unlikely to be more fattening than a tall mixed drink made with multiple shots of liquor. Moderation is key for both.
Alcohol Calories
All types of alcohol contain calories, but some are higher in calories than others. Here are the typical calorie counts for standard servings of different alcoholic drinks:
Beer Calories
– Light beer (12 oz): 100 calories
– Regular beer (12 oz): 150 calories
– Craft beer (12 oz): 150-200 calories
Wine Calories
– Red or white wine (5 oz): 120-130 calories
– Sweet wine (5 oz): 165 calories
– Champagne (5 oz): 130 calories
Spirit Calories
– Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey (1.5 oz): 100 calories
– Liqueurs like Bailey’s (1.5 oz): 200-300 calories
As you can see, spirits like vodka, whiskey, tequila and gin tend to be lower in calories ounce per ounce than beer or wine. However, cocktails made with spirits often include ingredients like fruit juices, soda, cream or sugar that significantly increase the calorie content.
A pint of beer generally contains more calories than a standard 5 oz glass of wine. But beer’s lower alcohol content means it may be less fattening overall.
Wine Has More Calories Than Pure Alcohol
Although regular spirits like vodka and whiskey are lower in calories than wine, pure ethanol alcohol actually contains more calories.
Here is a comparison of calorie content based on typical serving sizes:
– 5 oz wine (15% ABV): 122 calories
– 1.5 oz vodka (40% ABV): 96 calories
However, the 5 oz glass of wine contains more pure alcohol than the 1.5 oz shot of vodka. There is 0.6 oz of pure ethanol in wine compared to 0.6 oz in vodka.
So pure alcohol by itself is more calorie dense – with 7 calories per gram or 98 calories per shot (1.5 oz). The extra ingredients in wine like grapes and sugar account for the additional calories.
This demonstrates why the alcohol content matters more than just the type of drink. Stronger drinks with higher alcohol by volume (ABV) will generally have more calories and be more fattening.
Why Alcohol Contains Calories
Alcohol contains calories for several reasons:
Sugar Content
Some alcoholic drinks like wine, beer and cocktails contain carbs and sugar. Sugar provides 4 calories per gram. The sugar content comes from added sugars or the natural sugar in ingredients like fruit or grains used to make beer and wine. Sweet wines for example contain up to 5 grams of sugar per serving.
Alcohol Itself is Calorie Dense
Ethanol alcohol itself contains 7 calories per gram – nearly twice as many calories as carbs or protein (both contain 4 calories per gram).
The human body cannot convert alcohol calories into energy as efficiently as other nutrients. Instead, excess alcohol calories are often stored as belly fat.
Calories from Mixers and Ingredients
Cocktails, wine coolers and ciders contain added ingredients that boost calories like fruit juice, cream, carbonated drinks or sweeteners. The calories in these added liquids, syrups and sugars contribute to the higher calorie counts.
Overall, the calorie content comes from a combination of the alcohol itself plus added sugars and ingredients.
Which Type of Alcohol is Most Fattening?
With 7 calories per gram, pure alcohol is high in calories. So typically, drinks with higher alcohol by volume (ABV) percentages will be most fattening:
– Spirits like whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, tequila: Highest ABV around 40%
– Fortified wines like port: Can be up to 20% ABV
– Wine: Average 12-15% ABV
– Beer: Average 4-6% ABV
For example, even though a serving of gin contains fewer calories than wine, a 3 oz martini made with 2 oz of gin can have a higher alcohol content. The extra alcohol calories mean more potential for weight gain.
That said, choosing lower calorie mixers can help reduce the calorie content in cocktails. And moderate intake of any alcoholic drinks means less of an impact on your waistline.
Here is a calorie comparison of different alcohol types:
| Drink | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Gin | 1.5 oz | 100 |
| Vodka | 1.5 oz | 100 |
| Whiskey | 1.5 oz | 100 |
| Red wine | 5 oz | 125 |
| White wine | 5 oz | 120 |
| Light beer | 12 oz | 100 |
| Craft beer | 12 oz | 180 |
Factors That Affect Alcohol Calories
Several factors impact the calorie counts in different alcoholic drinks including:
Alcohol Content
As a general rule, the higher the ABV or proof, the more calories in the alcohol. Hard liquors like vodka, gin and whiskey will pack more calories ounce per ounce than lower alcohol options like beer or certain wines.
Serving Size
Bigger serving sizes mean more calories, even for the same type of drink. A pint of beer has more calories than a bottle or draft beer. A large wine glass with 8 oz provides about twice the calories of a standard 5 oz pour.
Additives
The ingredients added to cocktails, ciders, coolers and mixed drinks boost calorie counts. Juices, soda, cream and syrups all add extra calories beyond the alcohol itself. Frozen blended cocktails are especially high in calories from added sugar.
Sweetness Level
Sweeter drinks mean more sugar and calories. Sweet wines for example pack about 20-40 more calories per serving than dry wines. And cocktails made with juice, soda or sweet liqueurs contain more sugar and calories than a simple gin and tonic.
How Alcohol Causes Weight Gain
There are several ways that excessive alcohol intake can lead to weight gain:
High Number of Calories
Alcohol is the second most calorie dense macronutrient after fat, providing 7 calories per gram. The excess alcohol calories are likely to end up stored as belly fat.
Increased Appetite
Drinking tends to increase hunger and cravings, especially for fatty, salty snacks. The combination of alcohol and appetizers means more calorie consumption.
Slows Metabolism
Alcohol causes the body to burn fewer calories from other foods. Some studies show up to 73% fewer fat calories get metabolized after consuming alcohol.
Boosts Cortisol
Alcohol increases the stress hormone cortisol. High cortisol encourages fat storage, particularly in the belly area.
Lowers Testosterone
Testosterone helps burn fat but alcohol decreases testosterone levels. This affects the body’s ability to build muscle mass and burn calories efficiently.
For all these reasons, excess alcohol intake tends to result in more calories consumed, more fat stored around the midsection, and less muscle mass and metabolic function.
Ways to Drink Alcohol Without Weight Gain
There are some ways to balance enjoying alcohol sensibly with maintaining weight:
– Stick to recommended serving sizes such as 5 oz wine, 12 oz beer or 1.5 oz spirits.
– Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to cut additional calories.
– Avoid sugary cocktail mixes and juices. Opt for diet/light sodas and tonics.
– Choose white or red wine over sweet dessert wines higher in sugar and calories.
– Eat a protein and fiber-rich meal before or while drinking to feel full faster.
– Limit higher calorie craft beers in favor of light beers.
– Be mindful of mixers like tonic, cola or juice that can add calories.
– Skip salty, fatty finger foods that make you want to drink more.
As long as you practice moderation and avoid frequent binge drinking, you can incorporate occasional alcoholic beverages without significant weight gain or sabotaging weight loss efforts. Just account for the alcohol calories as part of your daily intake.
Healthiest Alcoholic Drinks for Weight Loss
If choosing an alcoholic beverage, some of the healthiest options include:
Dry Wines
Dry red and white wines are lower in calories and carbs than sweet wines. Go for options like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Limit to one 5 oz glass per day.
Champagne
A 5 oz glass of brut champagne contains about 120 calories. Opt for very dry brut styles over sweeter ones. Sparkling wines like Cava and Prosecco are also lighter options.
Vodka and Soda Water
Order a vodka soda made with seltzer instead of regular soda to avoid excess calories and sugar. Add a squeeze of lime or lemon.
Light Beer
Light or low-calorie beers provide about 100 calories per 12 oz versus 150 calories in regular beer. Michelob Ultra and Amstel Light are good options.
Low Calorie Cocktails
A 1.5 oz vodka martini with vermouth contains around 125 calories. Gin and tonics made with diet tonic are also a lower calorie choice.
Conclusion
Alcohol contains a high number of calories, so excessive intake can easily lead to weight gain. To minimize the risk, stick with recommended serving sizes and reduce how often you drink multiple beverages in one sitting. Prioritize lighter drinks like dry wine, champagne, vodka soda, light beer or low calorie cocktails. Always drink plenty of water in between alcoholic beverages as well. While no alcoholic drinks are truly healthy, practicing moderation allows you to imbibe sensibly without overconsuming calories.
