Alcohol beverages: What foods are they made from

Alcohol beverages

If you can’t see the image above clearly, do not worry. The image is originally blurry (smiles). Now, if you’re wondering why I called it “alcohol beverages” instead of “alcoholic beverages”, it is because the first is accurately descriptive; the second put across an image of tipsy bottles dancing on a shelf rather than respected members of the food and drink family.

What are they made of?

It is worthy of note that beer, wine, cider and other fermented beverages at least contain some of the food from which they’re made, so they may deliver very small amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to the body. (This is not intended to promote consumption, just stating the facts). So, all those who like to say, “I prefer spirits, I don’t do beers… yen yen yen”. Please beware.

Alcohol beverages can be made from virtually any carbohydrate food, most commonly cereal grains, fruit, potatoes or even honey.

For the fruit and fruit juice category;

The agave plant is the source of Tequila.

Apples are the sources of cider or hard cider (if you like).

Grapes and most other fruits are sources for wines in general.

For the grain category;

Barley, corn and wheat are sources for beer.

Barley, rice, wheat are sources for distilled spirits.

Corn is the source for bourbon.

Corn, rye is the source for whiskey.

Rice is the source for Sake (a distilled product) and rice wine.

For other food categories;

Mead is made from honey.

Milk is the source for kefir and kumiss.

Potatoes are the source of vodka.

Sugar cane is the source for rum.

Personally, I like to indulge in palm wine, of course with portioning. For me, it’s the natural sources. Learn more here about palm wine here the benefits and side effects.

Are alcohol beverages 100% alcohol?

Just so we know, no alcohol beverage is 100% alcohol. It’s usually a mix of alcohol and water. Beers and wines usually have food residues from the making process.

Please take note that most foods we consume undergo a digestion process, but in the case of alcohol, it is different. Alcohol flows directly through your body’s membranes into your bloodstream. Actually, the blood carries it to nearly every tissue and organ. (This is scary right?)

In 2015, Diageo, the world’s largest producer of alcohol beverages, announced that it would put complete Nutrition Facts Labels on every one of its products. Let’s all be hopeful that others will likely follow. (Amen?!) See the benefits of cutting alcohol completely.

If you’re not drinking tonight, good for you. However, what choice are you likely to make at the bar tonight if you plan on drinking? Kindly let us know in the comments section. Cheers to the weekend!

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