Keto Means
Photo by Nadin Sh Pexels Logo Photo: Nadin Sh

What alcohol is most damaging to the liver?

"Hard liquor contains more alcohol than beer or wine, making it more dangerous for your liver," continues Coleman. "A single shot of 80-proof hard liquor contains about 15 grams of alcohol and most shots contain even more alcohol than this." Another alcoholic beverage also takes a considerable toll on your liver.

Can I eat chocolate on keto?
Can I eat chocolate on keto?

Dark chocolate and cocoa powder Somewhat surprisingly, you can eat chocolate on keto. However, it's important to choose dark chocolate that...

Read More »
Does high blood sugar cause body odor?
Does high blood sugar cause body odor?

If you have diabetes, a change in body odor could be a sign of diabetes-related ketoacidosis. High ketone levels cause your blood to become acidic...

Read More »

Unwinding with a glass of wine or a cold beer after work always seems luxurious, and few celebrations feel complete without a glass of champagne. While you can get away with a drink every now and then, dietitians agree that alcohol does the most liver damage out of any beverage. "Alcohol is the worst drink for your liver as it makes it harder on the liver to break down and remove toxins from the body," says Minerva Valencia, RD. "Alcohol is known to cause damage to this vital organ, but a wide variety of alcoholic drinks can also pose health risks," says Janet Coleman, RD at TheConsumerMag. "In fact, some people may be at risk of poisoning if they consume too much alcohol. The Food and Drug Administration recommends that men consume no more than 24 grams of alcohol per day, while women should limit themselves to 12 grams per day." Certain types of alcoholic drinks end up contributing the most towards liver damage. "Hard liquor contains more alcohol than beer or wine, making it more dangerous for your liver," continues Coleman. "A single shot of 80-proof hard liquor contains about 15 grams of alcohol and most shots contain even more alcohol than this."

Another alcoholic beverage also takes a considerable toll on your liver.

"Unlike other alcoholic drinks, hard cider has a high concentration of ethanol which can lead to stomach problems when consumed in large quantities," says Coleman. RELATED: Get even more healthy drinking tips in your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.

alcohol

Luckily, anyone who enjoys the buzz contained in each of these drinks can find some healthier alternatives at their local grocery store. "The best replacement would be a kombucha, which contributes good bacteria to the gut microbiome and does not contribute toxins for your liver to remove," says Valencia. "Guayusa, an alternative drink to alcohol, has been around for many years in Ecuador and other South American countries," adds Coleman. "It is a natural stimulant that is said to relieve stress and boost energy levels without affecting the mind the same way caffeine does."

Story continues

While research on the benefits of guayusa has yet to be done, Coleman notes that this drink is "considered by some as nature's energy drink; a healthier alternative to coffee and tea. It is used in traditional medicine to treat headaches and menstrual pain, among other things."

For more drinking tips, read these next:

How do you feel if your A1C is high?
How do you feel if your A1C is high?

Symptoms Increased thirst. Frequent urination. Increased hunger. Fatigue. Blurred vision. Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands. Frequent...

Read More »
What time should I eat on a keto diet?
What time should I eat on a keto diet?

It's common for people to pair the keto diet with intermittent fasting, usually 16:8, which means someone only eats during an 8-hour window each...

Read More »

Is a sweet potato keto-friendly?
Is a sweet potato keto-friendly?

Ketogenic diets are characterized by their high fat and very low carb contents. Sweet potatoes tend to be naturally high in carbs and are typically...

Read More »
Should I force my kid to eat food they don't like?
Should I force my kid to eat food they don't like?

Whatever the issue, you shouldn't try to force a child to eat. But it's not on you to become a short-order cook, either. A better approach is to...

Read More »
Is a potato umami?
Is a potato umami?

Potatoes aren't umami. Potatoes are starchy. That's a completely different taste profile entirely. Sep 5, 2016

Read More »
Can I throw frozen fish in air fryer?
Can I throw frozen fish in air fryer?

Place the frozen fish fillets into the air fryer basket in a single layer directly from the freezer. No thawing is needed. Air Fry the fish fillets...

Read More »