Beer belly or whisky belly? Which drink is the least harmful for you?

You might well be a fan of both beer and whisky. And perhaps you’ve asked yourself which of the two is healthier. Today, we’re answering that question for you.

Let’s start by saying that alcohol, at its core, isn’t good for you. More and more research shows that alcohol is harmful to your health and can increase the risk of several types of cancer.

Whisky is alcohol too, and although it’s often called the water of life, plain water without alcohol is far better for you.

Back to the question: beer or whisky? Which one is “better” for you? The answer is whisky. Although whisky and beer start out the same way in production, the recipe diverges along the way, and in the end whisky comes out healthier.

There are several reasons for this. The biggest is sugar: it’s not good for you, and beer contains sugar while whisky does not. Everyone knows the term “beer belly,” whereas there’s no such thing as a “whisky belly.”

That said, the amount of sugar in beer varies from one brew to another. Some beers contain hardly any sugar, while others can be the equivalent of a few sugar cubes.

When it comes to calories, the difference between beer and whisky is significant. A glass of whisky typically comes in at about 65 to 70 calories, while beer can easily be double that. Don’t be surprised if it’s 150 to 200 calories per glass. And since people often have two or three, those beers can add up to the calorie count of a full meal.

Whisky drinkers generally take it a bit slower. You won’t see 300-milliliter pours; 2-centiliter drams are standard (sometimes a touch more).

Whisky has a high alcohol content of at least 40 percent. That means the experience is primarily about savoring and tasting and as a result, consumption tends to be lower.

Finally, whisky is said to contain antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties. It’s no coincidence whisky used to be prescribed as medicine. By now, of course, we all know this divine drink isn’t the first thing you should reach for medicinally, and that antioxidants are found in plenty of other things like a wide range of fruits and vegetables.

And no, don’t go saying wine counts because it has berries in it…

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