Is Cider good for you? The benefits and drawbacks revealed

Is cider good for you? This is an important question to consider before you decide to enjoy a glass or two of the popular alcoholic beverage.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Benefits of Cider

  • Excellent source of Polyphenols
  • Polyphenols are thought to help inflammation and fight infections
  • Great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber
  • Sometime lower calories than wine or beer
  • Has a positive effect on mood , reduce stress and provide a feeling of relaxation

Drawbacks of Cider

  • Generally not consider low-calorie
  • Significant amount of sugar
  • Acidic ciders can cause stomach upset and indigestion
  • Sugars and acidity can cause tooth decay
  • Risk of a hangover!

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Cider has been gaining in popularity over the years, and many people are turning to it as a healthier option than beer or other alcoholic drinks.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the benefits and drawbacks of drinking cider to help you make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you.

 

The benefits of drinking Cider

Ah, cider – the crisp and sweet beverage that has been enjoyed by many for centuries! Many people enjoy it for its refreshing and satisfying taste, but did you know there may be some potential health benefits to drinking cider as well?

For starters, cider is an excellent source of polyphenols, which are compounds that act as antioxidants. These polyphenols are thought to help protect the body from inflammation and fight off infections. 

Drinking cider can also help boost your energy levels, thanks to the natural sugars found in the beverage.

Cider is also a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

The vitamin content found in cider may help improve your overall health and boost your immune system. And while it’s true that cider contains some sugar, it can sometimes be lower in calories than beer or wine. 

So if you’re looking to cut back on those empty calories, reaching for a cider may be the way to go.

In addition to its nutritional benefits, drinking cider can also have a positive effect on your mood. It has been known to reduce stress and provide an overall feeling of relaxation. After a long day of work, there’s nothing better than kicking back with a cold one!

So, as you can see, there may be a few potential benefits of drinking cider. But always remember to drink responsibly!

 

How many calories in a pint of cider?

For those counting calories, you may be wondering how many calories are in a pint and which cider brand is the lowest in calories.

Cider typically has a few more calories than beer, but not enough to break your calorie bank. It really depends on the brand and the size of the serving.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ciders and their calorie counts.
If you are drinking a 500ml bottle of Strongbow, be prepared for 270 calories.

If you want to go with a classic option, Bulmers Original has 263 calories per 500ml. Aspall Draught Suffolk Cyder has only 249 calories per 500ml, making it the lowest in calories of the group.

If you are feeling fancy, let’s check out the hard cider offerings. Magners Original has 210 calories per 500ml, while Somersby Apple has 165 calories per 500ml.

So if you’re looking for the lightest option, consider going with Somersby Apple!

With these numbers, the average amount of calories in a pint of cider is around 230 calories.

Just remember to enjoy your cider responsibly and in moderation.

 

The drawbacks of drinking Cider

It can be a love-hate relationship at times because while it can be incredibly delicious and refreshing, there are certain drawbacks that you should consider before downing too much of it.
First and foremost, we have to talk about calories.

Cider is not generally considered to be low-calorie, and many brands will contain a significant amount of sugar. This means that if you’re looking for something to sip on without worrying about the calorie count, cider may not be the best choice.

Another potential drawback of drinking cider is the fact that it can be quite acidic. While this can add an extra level of flavour, too much acidity can cause an upset stomach and indigestion.
So if you’re prone to these issues, you may want to steer clear of cider.

The acidity also won’t please your dentist!

Finally, there’s also the risk of an unpleasant hangover after drinking cider. Not all ciders contain a high alcohol content, but some can be quite potent. And if you overdo it with the drinking, you could be in for a very bad morning the next day.

So while cider can certainly be enjoyed in moderation, you should make sure to keep an eye on your intake and be aware of its potential drawbacks!

 

Is Cider fattening?

All alcohol contains “empty calories”. This means that the calories in alcohol have little to no nutritional benefit and therefore excessive drinking can lead to gaining weight.
 

Which Cider is vegan?

Is Cider vegan? Cider, when made traditionally with apples and yeast, is vegan. That means all those delicious, crisp ciders that you enjoy can be enjoyed guilt-free. However, you must check the bottle as it’s quite common for cider mills and breweries to use animal-derived finings to help remove the yeast.

If you’re looking for specific vegan ciders, there are a few options in the UK. Some of the best-known vegan-friendly cider brands are Aspall, Henry Weston’s, Oldfields, and Kopparberg.

All of these producers guarantee that their cider is vegan and some even have special vegan options like Kopparberg’s limited edition cider made with strawberries.
So make sure you check the label, but most brands these days are vegan-friendly.

 

Which Cider has less sugar?

For ciders with less sugar, you generally want to be looking for a dry one.

Sugar is an important factor to consider when it comes to the healthiness of cider. The sugar content of cider varies depending on the brand, however, most ciders contain around 4-6g of sugar per 100ml. Many ciders also contain artificial sweeteners, which can add to the sugar content.

If you’re looking for a cider with less sugar, there are some great low-sugar options available in the UK. Strongbow Dry, Kopparberg and Magners Light all contain less than 4g of sugar per 100ml, making them the best choices for those looking for a healthier option. 

Additionally, many craft ciders are now available which are made with natural sugars, such as apple juice or honey. These ciders usually have a lower sugar content than traditional ciders.

Other factors that can affect the sugar content of cider include fermentation and aging processes. Unfermented cider typically contains more sugar than fermented cider, while aged cider tends to have a lower sugar content. For example, Westons Old Rosie has a much lower sugar content than Westons Original Cider due to the extra fermentation process and aging time it goes through.

 

Can Cider cause diarrhea?

You might think this is a bit of a crap question, but people really do search for the answer to “Does Cider cause diarrhea?” Well, the truth is a bit complicated. 

Some people might find that drinking too much cider can lead to digestive problems like bloating and diarrhea. 

This could be due to the high sugar content in many ciders, as well as the potential for certain ciders to contain gluten or other allergens. On the other hand, some ciders have low levels of alcohol, so they won’t irritate the digestive system as a higher ABV cider would.


So the bottom line is, it depends on how much cider you’re drinking, what type of cider it is and how tolerant your body is to it. If you find yourself reaching for the toilet after a few pints of your favourite cider, it might be time to lay off the booze for a while!


But if you’re looking for a refreshing beverage that won’t give you the runs, then go ahead and raise a glass of low sugar cider.

 

Which Ciders are gluten free?

Most ciders are made from gluten-free ingredients, such as apples and other fruit, but some manufacturers may add wheat or barley to their products, so it’s always best to check the label.

Thankfully, there are plenty of options out there for those who prefer to keep gluten off the menu. Whether you’re after a sweet or dry cider, or a traditional or craft variety, there’s bound to be something suitable for your taste buds—and stomach!

 

So, is Cider good for you?

At the end of the day, the decision of whether or not cider is good for you comes down to personal choice and tolerance.
Some people might find that the benefits of drinking cider outweigh the potential drawbacks and enjoy it responsibly, while others might prefer to avoid it altogether.

There’s no right or wrong answer here, but whichever path you take, make sure you always drink responsibly!

That being said, if you’re looking for a light and refreshing drink with a bit of kick, there’s no denying that cider can be a great option. So go ahead and grab yourself a pint (or two!) – just remember to practice moderation, and never underestimate the power of a good cider.

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