Choosing the best drink has only become much easier because there is now a league table of the healthiest alcoholic drinks.
At the top of the list is red wine, which shows decades of evidence that it can – in moderation of course – be good for the heart.
But more surprisingly, a second choice for the health conscious is craft site.
The bad news for those who cannot resist a gin and tonic is that it is the least healthy choice, along with all spirits, including vodka and whiskey.
The list was compiled by nutritionist Tim Spector, who is a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, and who analyzed data on more than 20 popular drinks.
At the top of the list of healthiest alcoholic beverages is red wine, which decades of evidence suggests that it – in moderation of course – can be good for the heart
They were evaluated for polyphenols – plant compounds that are good for the intestines and reduce inflammation in the body, which are associated with poor health in older people.
Red wine, unlike white wine, has the grape skins left in most of the fermentation process, as well as high levels of polyphenols from the fruit used to make it.
Craft or handmade cider, made with apples or pears, can contain as much polyphenols as red wine, Professor Spector said.
This means that a daily glass of red wine, or a 330 ml bottle of small batch of cider, is one of the best choices. Next best is white wine, followed by beer and then spirits, which tend to be more alcoholic and cause any polyphenols to be killed during distillation.
Professor Spector said: ‘I would not advise people who do not drink alcohol to take it, but this evidence can help people decide on the healthiest options to drink moderately. Lately, craft beer has had a surge in popularity, rather than craft beer, so many people might enjoy drinking it with their health in mind.
‘Red wine has a lot of evidence linking it to heart benefits, although it’s still debated, as well as the perfect amount.
“There are so many myths about alcohol, like vodka that is better than gin, or some drinks are better to avoid weight gain, so it can help.”
Cheap branded beer and cider appear to be similar to ultra-processed foods, with some of the health benefits lost in the production process.
Spirituality, as well as a deficiency of polyphenols, are often drunk with sugary mixers, such as lemonade or cola, which cause blood sugar spikes.
The bad news for those who can not resist a gin and tonic is that it is the least healthy choice, along with all spirits, including vodka and whiskey
The diet tracking app Zoe, created by Professor Spector, says these are drinks that are better to enjoy occasionally, while beer is recommended in moderation. He also recommends kombucha, a fermented tea containing up to 40 live microbes, which is good for intestinal health and low in alcohol.
Red wine is the only drink that has performed well as more suitable to enjoy regularly, although experts note that everyone responds differently to alcohol.
A major study in 2020, involving people in the US and Belgium, and led by King’s College London, found that people who drank red wine had a greater range of gut bacteria, linked to better gut health.
For those who do not like red wine, it may be worth considering a rosé, which tends to be in contact with grape skins longer than a white wine.
Professor Spector’s top six drinks are: Red wine, handmade cider, rosé wine, white wine, beer, spirits.