There's no truly "safe" alcohol, but red wine (due to polyphenols/resveratrol) and clear liquors (like vodka/gin with low-cal mixers) are often cited as less harmful in strict moderation, alongside light beer and dry champagne, because they may have fewer calories, sugar, or harmful compounds (congeners) than darker drinks, but excess always outweighs potential benefits, with the World Health Organization (WHO) stating no level is safe.
The "healthiest" alcohol options focus on low sugar, fewer additives, and potential antioxidants, with red wine often topping lists for its polyphenols (like resveratrol), though moderation is key. Other good choices include clear spirits (vodka, gin, tequila) mixed with water or soda water (not tonic) to keep sugar and calories low, and drinks with vegetable bases like a Bloody Mary, or lower-sugar options like hard seltzers, light beers, or dry wines.
However, if you are going to drink, having red wine in moderation is a healthier choice than other alcoholic drinks. This is due to its high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been linked to better heart and gut health.
Choose lower-FODMAP drinks – Opt for alcohols that are less likely to irritate the gut, such as dry wine, gin, vodka, or whiskey. Avoid high-FODMAP or high-sugar options like rum, cider, and dessert wines.
There is some evidence that moderate amounts of alcohol might help to slightly raise levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. Researchers have also suggested that red wine, in particular, might protect the heart, thanks to the antioxidants it contains.
Drinking whiskey or rum neat, or mixed with seltzer, will likely be a healthier option. At the end of the day, neither spirit is healthier than the other. The better option is the one that leads to less alcohol intake overall, as Brownstein suggests .
Your alcohol intake matters, too. In moderate amounts, red wine is commonly linked to healthy cholesterol levels. But drinking more hard liquor, beer, mixed drinks, and excess red wine has a negative impact on your cholesterol levels.
Which is healthier, vodka or gin? From a caloric standpoint, both drinks are similar, with around 97 calories per 44 ml (standard serving). However, gin may offer additional benefits thanks to antioxidants found in its botanicals, such as juniper.
Light beer
A person can enjoy 12 oz of light beer for around 100 calories . Some studies suggest that moderate beer consumption of one drink per day for females and one to two drinks daily for males may help decrease the risk of heart disease and overall mortality. It may also possess other metabolic health benefits.
The 1-2-3 drinking rule is a guideline for moderation: 1 drink per hour, no more than 2 drinks per occasion, and at least 3 alcohol-free days each week, helping to pace consumption and stay within safer limits. It emphasizes pacing alcohol intake with water and food, knowing standard drink sizes (12oz beer, 5oz wine, 1.5oz spirits), and avoiding daily drinking to reduce health risks, though some health guidance suggests even lower limits.
Some people report fewer hangover symptoms from gin because it contains fewer congeners, the fermentation byproducts found in darker alcohols like whiskey, rum, or red wine. Fewer congeners can mean a milder next day effect but that doesn't make gin healthy.
Considered one of the most dangerous – and unhealthy – drinks, a Long Island iced tea doesn't actually contain any iced tea. Instead, it's a combination of vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec, topped with sour mix and soda. All together, that means one Long Island contains as many as 780 calories.
Calorie Count
It should also be noted that flavored vodka tends to contain more calories than unflavored vodka, due to the added sugar content. Tequila is considered to have a slightly higher calorie count at around 110 calories per shot. If you choose to drink pure agave tequila, it may be slightly less.
Drink water, tea, or coffee (with little or no sugar). Limit milk/dairy (1-2 servings/day) and juice (1 small glass/day). Avoid sugary drinks. The more veggies — and the greater the variety — the better.
The Verdict: Red wine might be the least harmful option when consumed with strict moderation. We define this limit as one glass per day for women and up to two glasses for men consistently.
The "20-minute rule for alcohol" is a simple strategy to moderate drinking: wait 20 minutes after finishing one alcoholic drink before starting the next, giving you time to rehydrate with water and reassess if you truly want another, often reducing cravings and overall intake. It helps slow consumption, break the chain of continuous drinking, and allows the body a natural break, making it easier to decide if you've had enough or switch to a non-alcoholic option.
Benefits of Reaching Day Five
Increased energy levels: Without the sedative effects of alcohol, you may notice an increase in energy and vitality. Clearer thinking and enhanced cognitive function: As your brain begins to heal, you may experience improved memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities.
What To Drink Instead of Alcohol
A standard 1.5-ounce shot of vodka contains roughly the same amount of pure alcohol as a standard 5-ounce glass of wine (around 14g), but vodka is much stronger (40% ABV vs. wine's 12-14% ABV), meaning less liquid is needed to reach the same alcohol level, though wine offers antioxidants while vodka is lower in calories if mixed with diet drinks, but both affect the body similarly.
The gin obsession was blamed for misery, rising crime, madness, higher death rates and falling birth rates. Gin joints allowed women to drink alongside men for the first time and it is thought this led many women neglecting their children and turning to prostitution, hence gin becoming known as 'Mother's Ruin'.
7 Worst Drinks for Gut Health
To remove cholesterol from your body, adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle by eating more soluble fiber (oats, beans, fruits) and healthy fats (olive oil, fish), exercising regularly (30 mins most days), losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol, as these changes lower bad LDL cholesterol and raise good HDL cholesterol, with some people needing medication for more severe cases.
Heart-healthy drinks (other than water)
The worst foods for high cholesterol, given their high saturated fat content, include: Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage. Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter. Baked goods and sweets.