{"id":5162,"date":"2022-02-14T18:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-14T13:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=5162"},"modified":"2026-07-10T13:33:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:33:38","slug":"alcohol-vs-soft-drinks-which-is-worse-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/alcohol-vs-soft-drinks-which-is-worse-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Alcohol Vs Soft Drinks-\u00a0Which Is Really Worse?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><head><meta http-equiv=\"Content-Type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\">\n<\/head><body><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a583226d5a6c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a583226d5a6c\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/alcohol-vs-soft-drinks-which-is-worse-for-you\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/alcohol-vs-soft-drinks-which-is-worse-for-you\/#Comparison_of_the_Harmful_Effects_of_Both_Drinks\" >Comparison of\u00a0the Harmful Effects of Both Drinks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/alcohol-vs-soft-drinks-which-is-worse-for-you\/#Healthy_Alternatives_of_Alcohol_and_Soft_Drinks\" >Healthy Alternatives of Alcohol and Soft Drinks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/alcohol-vs-soft-drinks-which-is-worse-for-you\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/alcohol-vs-soft-drinks-which-is-worse-for-you\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" >Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/alcohol-vs-soft-drinks-which-is-worse-for-you\/#References\" >References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n    <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/channel-health-talk\"\n       class=\"pe-healthtalk-banner\"\n       style=\"position:relative; display:block; margin:10px; border-radius:10px; border-bottom:2px solid #117B77; overflow:hidden;\">\n        <span aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"position:absolute; left:0; bottom:0; width:2px; height:50%; background:#10847e;\"><\/span>\n        <img alt=\"Join Health Talk by PharmEasy on WhatsApp\"\n             src=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PEhealthtalk-1.png\"\n             style=\"width:100%; display:block; border-radius:10px;\">\n    <\/a>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span><strong>Introduction<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You may have read or heard health advisories that caution you against consuming too much alcohol and even\u00a0soft drinks of your choice. But are they equally harmful to your health or\u00a0is\u00a0one more dangerous than the other? This blog will compare the risks of these two.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comparison_of_the_Harmful_Effects_of_Both_Drinks\"><\/span><strong>Comparison of\u00a0the Harmful Effects of Both Drinks<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1.\u00a0Glycaemic\u00a0Score<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"229\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/31133342\/alcohol-1-375x229.webp\" alt=\"alcoholic drinks\" class=\"wp-image-214280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/31133342\/alcohol-1-375x229.webp 375w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/31133342\/alcohol-1-480x293.webp 480w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/31133342\/alcohol-1-150x91.webp 150w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/31133342\/alcohol-1.webp 741w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><sup>Image Source: Freepik.com<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When you consume a particular food or drink, it raises the level of sugar in your blood. This is known as the\u00a0glycaemic\u00a0index, which is a score between 0-100 ascribed to all foods and drinks according to the sugar boost.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Distilled alcoholic drinks such as vodka, rum,\u00a0brandy\u00a0or whiskey have a negligible\u00a0glycaemic\u00a0index. In that sense,\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0not very harmful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But\u00a0soft drinks\u00a0are packed with sugar. They can cause a dramatic surge of sugar levels in your body. This could eventually\u00a0cause\u00a0insulin resistance\u00a0and lead to\u00a0Type-2 diabetes<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/20693348\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On that score,\u00a0probably alcohol\u00a0is less damaging than soft drinks. However cocktails,\u00a0which are sugary alcoholic drinks, have the same effect on your body as soft drinks. So, let\u2019s move on and compare them\u00a0on\u00a0some other parameters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Weight Gain<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-375x250.jpg\" alt=\" weight gain due to sugar\" class=\"wp-image-266420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-741x494.jpg 741w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-480x320.jpg 480w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/refined-sugar-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><sup>Image Source: Freepik.com<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s\u00a0well known that both alcohol and soft drinks can be fattening. Moreover, people tend to consume both with fried, unhealthy snacks that do your weight-loss goals no\u00a0favours.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alcohol is a hunger stimulant. However, drinking in moderation, that is, one drink if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0a woman and two if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0a man, will not lead to substantial weight gain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A standard can (330 ml) of cola contains as much as\u00a06 or more\u00a0teaspoons of <a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/10-harmful-effects-of-sugar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>sugar<\/strong><\/a>!<sup><a href=\"http:\/\/A%20standard%20can%20(330%20ml)%20of%20cola%20contains%20as%20much%20as%C2%A06%20or%20more%C2%A0teaspoons%20of%20sugar!2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0This much\u00a0added sugar\u00a0in soft drinks directly lead to drastic weight gain and eventually, obesity<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3210834\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0And obesity, in turn, can be a magnet to a host of lifestyle ailments such as <a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/a-test-that-can-predict-diabetes-know-more\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>diabetes<\/strong><\/a>, heart disease and arthritis.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So,\u00a0weight wise\u00a0both are a no but excessive soft drink consumption can\u00a0be worse.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote doc-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Soft drinks contain high amounts of sugar or other artificial sweeteners. It has enough caffeine to perhaps even elevate your blood pressure levels. It may promote obesity, digestive issues, bone issues, etc. For these reasons, it is always recommended to avoid drinking soft drinks<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu\/healthy-drinks\/sugary-drinks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/legal\/editorial-policy\/dr-rajeev-singh-70\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS<\/strong><\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote><div id=\"sfa_container_5162\" class=\"sfa_container\" style=\"display:none\"><div class=\"sfa_overlay\"><\/div><button id=\"sfa_btn_5162\" class=\"sfa_btn\">Show Full Article<\/button><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Nutritional Value<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/19085340\/red-wine-375x270.webp\" alt=\"nutritional value of red wine\" class=\"wp-image-212256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/19085340\/red-wine-375x270.webp 375w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/19085340\/red-wine-1024x736.webp 1024w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/19085340\/red-wine-768x552.webp 768w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/19085340\/red-wine-1536x1104.webp 1536w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/19085340\/red-wine-2048x1473.webp 2048w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/19085340\/red-wine-480x345.webp 480w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/19085340\/red-wine-668x480.webp 668w, https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/19085340\/red-wine-150x108.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><sup>Image Source: Freepik.com<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s\u00a0not much to choose between alcohol and soft drinks when it comes to nutritional benefits. Neither drink has any dietary value.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though,\u00a0some forms of alcohol like the\u00a0red wine\u00a0are\u00a0found\u00a0to\u00a0contain\u00a0antioxidants that can\u00a0help\u00a0fight infections\u00a0and\u00a0scavenge\u00a0free radicals\u00a0and\u00a0have positive effects on lipid levels and gut microbiome<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10146095\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0However,\u00a0overall\u00a0excessive alcohol\u00a0consumption\u00a0may\u00a0negatively\u00a0impact appetite that may\u00a0in turn\u00a0lead to deficiencies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Soft drinks\u00a0in fact\u00a0do not have any\u00a0nutritional value\u00a0and\u00a0it is even found that\u00a0individuals\u00a0who consume excessive soft drink are deficient\u00a0in calcium\u00a0and other nutrients\u00a0possibly associated with an unhealthy diet low in milk, fruits and fiber and high\u00a0in carbohydrates<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC1829363\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alcohol and soft drinks both actually have no nutritional value.\u00a0Hence,\u00a0it is best to consume them in moderation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4.\u00a0Toxicity<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-375x250.webp\" alt=\"depression and stress due to unhealthy lifestyle\" class=\"wp-image-262487\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-375x250.webp 375w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-1536x1025.webp 1536w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-2048x1366.webp 2048w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-741x494.webp 741w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-480x320.webp 480w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-720x480.webp 720w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/depression-150x100.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><sup>Image Source: Freepik.com<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Now,\u00a0coming to the last and the most important deciding factor, that is a comparison of their overall ill effects on health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drinking too much alcohol over a prolonged\u00a0period of time\u00a0can:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Can slow down the activity of\u00a0brain,\u00a0affecting\u00a0thinking and coordination,\u00a0and also\u00a0affect the nervous system leading to conditions like peripheral neuropathy.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lead to fat deposits (steatosis), inflammation (hepatitis)\u00a0or scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase the risk of gastrointestinal issues like acidity\u00a0or\u00a0ulcers and may cause pancreatic inflammation.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Affect heart function by reducing the blood supply to the heart and gradually weakening the heart muscles, leading to irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke etc.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase the risk of contracting cancer. Chronic alcohol consumption is found to be associated with cancers of the liver, colon, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/cancer-care-breast-cancer-what-it-is-types-early-signs-treatment-prevention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">breast<\/a><\/strong>, oral\u00a0cavity\u00a0and rectum<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.niaaa.nih.gov\/alcohols-effects-health\/alcohols-effects-body\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/alcohol\/about-alcohol-use\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned earlier, soft drinks are full of sugar. Drinking\u00a0them\u00a0in excess can:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Lead to the deposit of fats in your liver and increase your risk of fatty liver disease<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28273805\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">8<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cause\u00a0weight gain, especially around the tummy. This increases the risk of metabolic syndrome<sup><a href=\"http:\/\/A%20standard%20can%20(330%20ml)%20of%20cola%20contains%20as%20much%20as%C2%A06%20or%20more%C2%A0teaspoons%20of%20sugar!2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes due to frequent sugar spikes that may affect blood metabolism leading to insulin resistance<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/20693348\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adversely impact\u00a0your heart health by affecting blood sugar and<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/diagnostic-high-triglycerides-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-how-to-reduce-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">triglyceride levels<\/a><\/strong><sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/20693348\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lead\u00a0to erosion of tooth enamel causing sensitivity and dental caries.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So, while soft drinks have their own set of ill effects, alcohol usually has more troubling implications\u00a0on\u00a0your health than soft drinks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote doc-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Though soft drinks can harm your body more, overconsumption of alcohol might lead to various health problems such as liver diseases, stroke, heart diseases, etc. It is always recommended to drink alcohol in moderation<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/alcohol\/about-alcohol-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/legal\/editorial-policy\/dr-siddharth-gupta-73\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)<\/strong><\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Healthy_Alternatives_of_Alcohol_and_Soft_Drinks\"><\/span><strong>Healthy Alternatives of Alcohol and Soft Drinks<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A healthier\u00a0option\u00a0for both soft drinks and alcohol would be sugar-free, antioxidant-rich drinks that are beneficial for your health. Here are some of the healthy drinks you can try instead of sugar-laced soft drinks or alcoholic beverages:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Kombucha<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Kombucha-375x250.webp\" alt=\"Kombucha\" class=\"wp-image-269990\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><sup>Image Source: Freepik.com<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Made with black or green tea with a sprinkling of bacteria, this fermented and naturally sparkling drink has become a favorite among people who want to drink something bold and is yet a healthy\u00a0option. Kombucha is said to have probiotic and antioxidant properties and no sugar content making it\u00a0a good choice\u00a0for health conscious drinkers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Coconut Water<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut-375x250.webp\" alt=\"coconut water\" class=\"wp-image-267603\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut-375x250.webp 375w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut-1024x684.webp 1024w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut-768x513.webp 768w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut-1536x1026.webp 1536w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut-741x494.webp 741w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut-480x321.webp 480w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut-719x480.webp 719w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/coconut.webp 1617w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><sup>Image Source: Freepik.com<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>According to reports from USDA, unsweetened <a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/11-incredible-health-benefits-of-coconut-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>coconut water<\/strong><\/a> is full of vitamins and minerals,\u00a0containing\u00a0about 6 grams of sugar per cup<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/170174\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0Coconut water also\u00a0contains\u00a0electrolytes like potassium and sodium that help in regaining strength after a long, strenuous day. Coconut water is a refreshing and hydrating drink that you can add to your everyday healthy drink list.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Green Juice<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/juice-375x250.webp\" alt=\" green juice\" class=\"wp-image-270010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/juice-375x250.webp 375w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/juice-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/juice-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/juice-741x494.webp 741w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/juice-480x320.webp 480w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/juice-720x480.webp 720w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/juice-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/juice.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><sup>Image Source: Freepik.com<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Whether homemade or pre-mixed green juices\u00a0available\u00a0in the market, they are a great alternative if you wish to switch to healthy drinks as opposed to alcohol or soft drinks. Home-made green juices require vegetables to be chopped roughly and put in the\u00a0blender\u00a0and pre-mixed ones available in the market can either be in juice form or powdered form that needs to be liquefied. However, before buying these, it is recommended that you check the ingredient list as a lot of these green juices have added sugar content.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Also Read:<a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/trending-black-coffee-with-ghee-benefits-how-to-make-it-side-effects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Black Coffee\u00a0with\u00a0Ghee: Benefits, How\u00a0to\u00a0Make It &amp; Side Effects<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both alcohol and soft drinks are not healthy when consumed in excess. While alcohol risks such as impaired judgment, addiction, liver\u00a0damage\u00a0and\u00a0cancer potential are\u00a0frequently\u00a0warned about, the consumption of sugary soft drinks has its own set of ill effects on health such as weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and poor dental health. Which is worse<em> <\/em>depends on the quantity and frequency of consumption as well as\u00a0an individual\u2019s overall health and lifestyle. Instead of choosing between these two, a better approach is to limit both and make water or other low-sugar beverages your everyday choice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783674114508\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Are diet or zero-sugar soft drinks a safer alternative to alcohol?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">They remove sugar-related risks but\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0entirely risk-free. Artificial sweeteners may affect gut health and cravings. While they may be a better\u00a0option\u00a0than alcohol, they\u00a0shouldn\u2019t\u00a0be considered a health drink.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783674126939\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Can mixing alcohol with soft drinks make things worse?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Combining the two increases\u00a0the\u00a0overall calorie and sugar intake. Sugary mixers can also mask the taste of alcohol, leading to higher consumption without\u00a0realising\u00a0it.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783674137539\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Why are soft drinks often underestimated compared to alcohol?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Because they are socially\u00a0normalised\u00a0and marketed as harmless refreshments.\u00a0There\u2019s\u00a0no stigma attached to drinking multiple soft drinks a day, unlike alcohol. This\u00a0perception\u00a0gap leads people to overlook the cumulative effects of daily sugar intake, which can\u00a0also be extremely\u00a0damaging over time.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783674159372\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Which one is worse for liver health?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Alcohol directly damages liver cells and can cause cirrhosis. Soft drinks, especially high in fructose, contribute to fatty liver\u00a0overtime. Both can harm the liver, but through different mechanisms.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783674171732\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Which drink affects weight gain more?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Soft drinks drive weight gain through constant sugar spikes and fat storage. Alcohol adds empty calories and increases\u00a0appetite. Daily soft drink intake often has a more consistent impact.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783674186515\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How do alcohol and soft drinks affect blood sugar?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Soft drinks cause sharp spikes and crashes in blood sugar. Alcohol can initially raise levels but may later cause drops, especially without food, making its effect more unpredictable.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783674200962\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Which one is more addictive?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Alcohol has a stronger chemical dependency risk. Soft drinks, however, create habitual cravings due to sugar and caffeine, making them easy to consume daily without noticing.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span><strong>References<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\">\n<li>Malik VS, Popkin BM, Bray GA, Despr\u00e9s JP, Willett WC, Hu FB. Sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes:\u00a0a meta-analysis.\u202f<em>Diabetes Care<\/em>. 2010;33(11):2477-2483. doi:10.2337\/dc10-1079\u00a0Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/20693348\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/20693348\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Action on Sugar\u00a0(Internet).\u00a0NCD Alliance\u00a0(cited 8<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0July 2026).\u00a0Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/ncdalliance.org\/sites\/default\/files\/resource_files\/soft_drinks_press_release_final_2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/ncdalliance.org\/sites\/default\/files\/resource_files\/soft_drinks_press_release_final_2.pdf<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Malik VS, Schulze MB, Hu FB. Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain: a systematic review.\u202f<em>Am\u00a0J Clin Nutr<\/em>. 2006;84(2):274-288.\u00a0Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3210834\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3210834\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lombardo M, Feraco A,\u00a0Camajani\u00a0E, Caprio M, Armani A. Health Effects of Red Wine Consumption: A Narrative Review of an Issue That Still Deserves Debate.\u202f<em>Nutrients<\/em>. 2023;15(8):1921.\u00a0Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10146095\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10146095\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vartanian LR, Schwartz MB, Brownell KD. Effects of soft drink consumption on nutrition and health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.\u202f<em>Am\u00a0J Public Health<\/em>. 2007;97(4):667-675.\u00a0Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC1829363\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC1829363\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alcohol\u2019s\u00a0Effects on Health\u00a0(Internet). National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism\u00a0(cited 8<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0July 2026).\u00a0Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niaaa.nih.gov\/alcohols-effects-health\/alcohols-effects-body\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.niaaa.nih.gov\/alcohols-effects-health\/alcohols-effects-body<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alcohol Use and Your Health\u00a0(Internet). CDC\u00a0Alcoholism\u00a0(cited 8<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0July 2026).\u00a0Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/alcohol\/about-alcohol-use\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/alcohol\/about-alcohol-use\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jegatheesan P, De Bandt JP. Fructose\u202fand\u202fNAFLD:\u202fThe\u202fMultifaceted\u202fAspects\u202fof\u202f Fructose\u202fMetabolism.\u202f<em>Nutrients<\/em>. 2017;9(3):230.\u00a0Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28273805\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28273805\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nut, coconut water\u00a0(Internet).\u00a0USDA\u00a0Alcoholism\u00a0(cited 8<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0July 2026). Available from:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/170174\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/170174\/nutrients<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Sugary drinks [Internet]. Boston (MA): Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; [cited 2026 Jul 10]. Available from: <a href=\"https:\/\/nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu\/healthy-drinks\/sugary-drinks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu\/healthy-drinks\/sugary-drinks\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\"><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\"><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\"><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\"><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\"><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\"><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"8\"><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Disclaimer<\/em><\/strong><em>: The information provided here is for educational\/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Links and product recommendations in the information<\/em> <em>provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products\/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n<div class=\"pld-like-dislike-wrap pld-custom\">\r\n    <div class=\"pld-like-wrap  pld-common-wrap\">\r\n    <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"pld-like-trigger pld-like-dislike-trigger  \" title=\"Likes\" data-post-id=\"5162\" data-trigger-type=\"like\" data-restriction=\"cookie\" data-already-liked=\"0\">\r\n                            <img src=\"https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/12132143\/like.png\" alt=\"Likes\" \/>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n    <span class=\"pld-like-count-wrap pld-count-wrap\">54    <\/span>\r\n<\/div><div class=\"pld-dislike-wrap  pld-common-wrap\">\r\n    <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"pld-dislike-trigger pld-like-dislike-trigger  \" title=\"Dislikes\" data-post-id=\"5162\" data-trigger-type=\"dislike\" data-restriction=\"cookie\" data-already-liked=\"0\">\r\n                            <img src=\"https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/12132208\/dislike.png\" alt=\"Dislikes\" \/>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n    <span class=\"pld-dislike-count-wrap pld-count-wrap\">17<\/span>\r\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Introduction You may have read or heard health advisories that caution you against consuming too much alcohol and even\u00a0soft drinks of your choice. But are they equally harmful to your health or\u00a0is\u00a0one more dangerous than the other? This blog will compare the risks of these two.\u00a0 Comparison of\u00a0the Harmful Effects of Both Drinks 1.\u00a0Glycaemic\u00a0Score\u00a0 When [\u2026]","protected":false},"author":165,"featured_media":282690,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[6298],"tags":[14517,14516,14515,14518],"acf":[],"_embedded":{"wp:featuredmedia":[{"source_url":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/soft-drinks-vs-alcohol.webp"}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5162"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/165"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5162"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":282706,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5162\/revisions\/282706"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/282690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}