Learn Everything About Alcohol Consumption (+ Tips)

Which drinks are alcoholic?

They are drinks that contain a substance called "ethanol" and come from the fermentation of sugars (e.g. barley, grapes), depending on the type.

How does alcohol affect the body and the brain?

Alcohol is absorbed by your stomach, then follows a path that ultimately reaches the other organs in your body. 80% of the alcohol passes through the small intestine, while the remaining 20% enters the stomach and very quickly reaches your brain.

The categories of alcoholic drinks

Distilled drinks, which after fermentation, go through the distillation process, such as vodka, tsipouro, whiskey.
Non-distilled drinks, which are produced by alcoholic fermentation and have a lower alcohol content, such as wine and beer.

How much alcohol can you "handle"?

Your liver can break down slightly less than one serving of alcohol per hour, while any excess amount is released into your body and affects the rest of your organs!

Time for a breathalyzer! - What affects your blood alcohol concentration!

Age
Gender
Body weight
What you ate earlier
The type of drink you consume

What will happen if you drink too much?

Uncontrolled movements and behaviors, and/or a decrease in your pulse and blood pressure, are undesirable signs of alcohol consumption, especially of a larger quantity.

*If you consume alcohol frequently and in large amounts, the risk of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, and liver problems may increase.

How many ml is one serving of alcohol?

An indicative guide for one serving of alcohol in ml (with 14g of alcohol). More specifically:

1 glass of wine = 140 ml
1 can of beer = 330 ml
1 glass of liqueur = 70 ml
1 shot of whiskey = 45 ml

And finally, which drink should I choose?

Red wine (in moderation) may have some benefits due to its antioxidants, mainly resveratrol.
*Prefer dry wine, which has a lower sugar content than dessert wines.
**However, you can find beneficial antioxidants in many foods, so if you don't already drink alcohol, I wouldn't recommend starting for this reason!
Drinks like vodka, gin, or tequila are lower in calories compared to other drinks, such as cocktails.
*Don't forget to combine them with low-calorie mixers like soda or tonic, and not with soft drinks or juices with sugar.
If you love beer a bit more, choose light beers, with fewer calories and lower alcohol content.
Nowadays, you can also find alcohol-free beers on the market.
Avoid consuming carbonated alcoholic drinks, like champagne, if you have gastrointestinal issues, such as GERD or IBS.
If you already consume alcohol frequently, follow the guidelines of international health organizations!
Drink up to one drink per day if you are a woman and up to two drinks per day if you are a man. The less, the better!
*Also discover the wide range of alcohol-free drinks.

A "trick" to control your drinking during a night out is to drink water at the same time!

Beverage Type	Calories kcal
Beer
Beer (light) (355 ml)	103
Beer (regular) (355 ml)	153
Beer (higher alcohol content, craft beers) (355 ml)	170 to 350
Distilled Alcohol
Gin (45 ml)	105
Rum (45 ml)	105
Vodka (45 ml)	105
Whiskey (45 ml)	105
Mixed Drinks
Bloody Mary (136 ml)	120
Cosmopolitan (81 ml)	146
Daiquiri (80 ml)	137
Mai Tai (145 ml)	306
Margarita (120 ml)	168
Mimosa (120 ml)	75
Mojito (177 ml)	143
Pina colada (200 ml)	526
Rum and cola (235 ml)	185
Rum and Diet Cola (235 ml) 100	100
Tequila sunrise (200 ml)	232
Vodka and tonic (207 ml)	189
Wine
White table wine (145 ml)	128
Moscatel (145 ml)	129
Chardonnay (145 ml)	128
Dry wine (90 ml)	157
Red table wine (145 ml)	125
Sauvignon Blanc (145 ml)	128
Merlot (145 ml)	122
Cabernet Sauvignon (145 ml)	122
Red dessert wine (90 ml)	165