New analysis shows it’s a big fat myth. More than one in three men (35%) incorrectly think low-carb beer is healthy.
According to LiveLighter, one in five (22%) women also mistakenly think low-carb beer is a healthy option, according to the survey of more than 1000 Victorians.
The idea that low-carb beer is good for you is a myth, said LiveLighter Campaign Manager and dietitian, Alison McAleese.
“Marketing certain beers as ‘low carb’ is doing nothing more than giving these beers a false healthy halo,” Ms McAleese said.
“Low-carb beer has only slightly fewer kilojoules than regular beer. They’re not healthy, and drinking them certainly won’t prevent weight gain.”
An analysis of popular beers by Cancer Council Victoria and LiveLighter revealed some beers marketed as ‘low carb’ don’t even have fewer carbs than beers that didn’t carry this message.
On average, a typical lager or ale has just 1.4 grams of carbohydrates per 100ml, while ‘low-carb’ Pure Blonde has just over 0.5 grams and ‘lower-carb’ Carlton Dry has 1.9 grams.
Ms McAleese said most beers are already relatively low in carbohydrates, and it’s actually the alcohol, not carbs, making beer so high in kilojoules.
“Around 80% of the kilojoules in a typical beer come from the alcohol itself, while only around 15% come from carbohydrates, and less than 1% from sugar,” Ms McAleese said.
“At the end of the day it’s the alcohol in beer, not the carbohydrates, that does the damage to your waistline and puts you at greater risks of serious health problems, including cancer.
“To avoid weight gain and reduce these risks, choose lower alcohol beer and cut back,” She said.
This article was first published in The Fence magazine.
