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The Truth about Carbohydrates and Alcohol

Diets low in carbohydrates has been a recent trend in weight loss.  People report losing quite a bit of weight in a short period of time by eliminating or reducing carbohydrates from their diet.  The reason for this is that most carbohydrates break down in to sugar and are difficult to exterminate from the body.  

A few years ago, when low-carbohydrate diets became popular, all carbohydrates were counted as “bad.”  Although we need some of the vitamins in some carbohydrates to live, we were warned away from others.  Alcohol was supposed to contain quite a bit of carbohydrates and was a definite “no-no” when it came to a low carbohydrate diet.  The only exception was a glass of white wine.

Contrary to popular belief, alcohol does not have the adverse effect on blood sugar that was once believed.

The following myths have there fore been debunked by some in the medical community:

1. Alcohol does not increase blood sugar.  Diabetes has been long warned to stay away from alcohol because it is believed that the liver metabolizes alcohol into blood sugar.  This is incorrect.  Alcohol is eventually broken down into water, not sugar.
2. Beers that are considered “lite” beers or non-alcoholic beers are higher in carbohydrates than regular beer.  Non alcoholic beers can contain double the carbohydrates of alcoholic beers.  If you are drinking lite or non alcoholic beer to cut down on carbohydrates, you are wasting your time;
3. The “fact” that beer, wine and spirits have a high gylcemic index is a myth.  Beer, wine and spirits have no glycemic index and are safe to drink when on a diet;
4. White wine has no less carbohydrate than red wine.  The “fact” that white wine is better for those watching their weight is a myth.
5. Some spirits contain no carbohydrates.  Fermented products, however, will never be carb free. 
6. Rum does not contain sugar.  Once alcohol is fermented and then distilled, the result is ethyl alcohol.  Ethyl alcohol does not contain any carbohydrates.

This news regarding carbohydrates and alcohol can change the way people on a low carbohydrate diet choose to imbibe in alcohol.  In addition, diabetics may be able to enjoy a drink or two when they go out. 

Taking an alcoholic drink when you go out is not forbidden if you are on a low carbohydrate diet.  The myths regarding alcohol and carbohydrates have been refuted by basic facts.  If you are trying to watch your weight an are on a low carbohydrate diet, you can choose to have a drink without worrying about whether it turns to sugar.

To really stay carbohydrate free, however, you are better off to drink distilled alcoholic drinks, referred to as spirits and hard liquor.  While beer and wine contain some carbohydrates, spirits do not contain any carbohydrates.