Which is better for health, beer or cola? Of course, in the beer vs cola competition, each has its defenders and distractors. (Also see Beer is Better than Milk for Good Health & Weight. So are Wine & Distilled Spirits or Liquor.) 

As a matter of fact, many people think beer causes so-called “beer bellies.” Some even consider beer a four letter word.

On the other hand, one large activist group opposes cola. It actually avoids the word “cola.” Instead, it calls colas “sugar drinks” and “liquid candy.”¹

Beer vs Cola for Health

        Overview

I.   Beer vs Cola

II.  Glycemic Index and Load

III. Resources

I. Beer vs Cola

In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has analyzed the contents of both. It provides the following facts.²

In addition, the USDA shows that cola contains most, but not all, of the minerals found in beer. But cola contains no vitamins at all.

On the other hand, beer provides thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, follate, and vitamin B-12

Beer also has a strong advantage over cola nutritionally. That is, it has no fat and no sugar. It also has fewer calories and less carbs. In addition, beer provides more minerals. And it provides vitamins. On the other hand, cola has none at all.

II. Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load

The glycemic index (GI) is important. It measures how quickly a food or beverage causes our blood sugar (glucose) levels to rise. It measures food from 0 (water) to 100 (sugar). Thus, those with a higher GI cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. 

Yet the GI can be very misleading. The glycemic load (GL) is much accurate. It’s also more realistic. The GL includes both the quality of carbs (the GI) and the quantity of carbs. Just as in the case of GI, a high GL is bad.

For example, watermelon has a high GI of 72 but a GL of only 2 per 100 gram serving. That is, it has carbs that quickly raise blood sugar. On the other hand, it has very few such carbs. Thus, it has a very low GL.

In light of this, it’s important to focus on glycemic load. So what’s the GL of beer vs cola? Beer has only half the GL (7.5) of cola (15.0).

As a result, people whose diets focus on a low glycemic load do the following.

• • Burn more calories.
  • Lose weight and keep it off easier.
  • Keep good and consistent blood sugar levels.
  • Lower their risk of circulation disease.
  • Reduce risk of diabetes.

Beer has yet another advantage over cola. It contains alcohol. And drinking alcohol in moderation leads to better health and longer life than abstaining.

When it comes to beer vs cola, there’s really no contest. Beer is much, much better for health and long life.

III. Resources

Web

• • Beer is Better than Milk.
  • Beer and Health.
  • Health Benefits of Beer.
  • Alcohol, Calories and Weight: Surprising Facts!
  • Wine vs Grape Juice: Which is Better for Health, Long Life?
  • Liquor vs Non-Alcoholic Beverages for Health.
  • Beer Trivia.
  • Beer History Timelines.

Readings

• • Bamford, C. Beer. Health and Nutrition.
  • Borgian, A. Pop-colas and Dental Corrosion.
  • Denke, M. Nutritional and health benefits of beer. Am J Med Sci, 320(5), 320-6.
  • Is Beer or Soda Better for You?

YouTube

• • Could Beer be Better for You than Soda?

Footnotes

1 Liquid Candy. Center for Science in the Public Interest.

2 (Link works.) USDA Nutr Nutrient Database.

Note

• • This site gives no advice. Please see your doctor with questions.