The Hard Seltzer Trend
Hard seltzer continues to make waves in 2024 as a leading choice in the alcoholic beverage market. After a staggering 202% growth in recent years, it’s clear that this trend is here to stay. Major players like Sam Adams and Anheuser-Busch have diversified into the seltzer market, but what’s behind this shift? Well, the modern consumer changes quickly. A study done by Food Navigator in 2018 showed that 79% of consumers wanted to have a healthier diet by the end of the year.
Hard seltzers, like White Claw, have gained popularity for their low-calorie (100 per serving) and sugar (2 grams per serving) content. But, it’s important to remember that wine, a time-honored healthier option, is still in the game. Wine, especially when consumed in moderation, can offer health benefits. It’s typically lower in sugar, with only 1.2 grams per glass, and certain wines have zero carbs.
Calories in Hard Seltzer vs. Wine
We will start with the first nutritional fact everyone is looking for – how many calories does each have? White Claw does not shy away from this question. Their cans and advertising emphasize, in large writing, that each 12 fl oz serving is only 100 calories. This is slightly lower compared to wine which can average between 120-140 calories in a 5 fl oz serving – Baldacci wines, for instance, are 120 calories in a normal serving. White Claw edges over wine in this category.
Sugar in Hard Seltzer vs. Wine
After looking at the calories in a product, our next step is to typically look at the amount of sugar in it. There is a lot more information now on the negative effects of sugar – weight gain, heart disease, aging. For this reason, we want to minimize our sugar intake as much as possible. Again, White Claw does a great job of promoting that their cans only have 2 grams of sugar per serving. However, this is slightly higher than wine which averages just 1.2 grams of sugar per glass! The vast majority of wine, including Baldacci Family Vineyards wine, has no added sugar; any residual sweetness derives naturally from grapes. You can sip wine with ease knowing that. Wine has the upper hand when it comes to having less sugar.
Carbohydrates in Hard Seltzer vs. Wine
Carbs go hand-in-hand with sugar these days – both pack on the pounds and both are worth avoiding. Wine can come in many different forms when it comes to the number of carbs in a serving. Dry wines for instance typically have zero grams of carbs in them, while other types of wine can go up to four grams of carbs in a serving. White Claw is right in the middle at 2 grams of carbs in a can. For this reason, it is pretty much a tie between the two in this category.
Healthy or Not?
Now, it is important to note that health is not always about avoiding the negative things we put in us – it also involves putting beneficial substances into our bodies. As mentioned earlier in this piece, there have been multiple health benefits linked to drinking wine in moderation. For example, Healthline stated that “red wine’s high concentration of polyphenol antioxidants can help reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic diseases”. There is also reason to believe that certain components in wine can reduce chronic inflammation – a condition that is typically reduced via exercise and diet. Because White Claw has not been around long enough nor is it feasible to know the full recipe, it is difficult to determine what, if any beneficial health benefits may be derived from White Claw.
Conclusion
When we break it down, the match up is pretty close on whether wine or White Claw is the healthier option. If the goal is to watch your figure, White Claw might barely edge out wine for having fewer calories and fewer carbs per ounce. If the goal is to drink an alcoholic option that can provide you with some health benefits, wine is the way to go. Everything being said, it is important to note that drinking alcohol in excess can never be deemed healthy. Drinking in moderation will always ensure you are drinking healthy and responsibly. So next time you are at an event and you are trying to decide between the wine or the White Claw, just remember both are better than most alcoholic options out there.
At Baldacci Family Vineyards, while we might be a bit biased, we believe wine is a timeless choice that offers more than just a delightful taste experience.
Last updated on January 10, 2024
Sources
