A very common question we get is, am I okay to consume alcohol on a ketogenic diet?
While drinking the occasional low carb beer is okay, you’ll be better off consuming a dry red wine. A recent study found that individuals following a ketogenic diet still experienced the positive health changes of being in ketosis, even while incorporating a dry red wine into their diet.
Study Overview –
This study allowed ketogenic dieters to consume red wine for 12 weeks, and subjects still demonstrated:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Reduced LDL cholesterol
- Increased HDL cholesterol
- Lower total cholesterol
- Lower blood glucose
Key Points –
- Dry wine is more keto friendly since it is lower in sugar.
- Select dry red wines, such as; Malbec, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Wine contains Resveratrol, which can promote fat burning.
Additional Benefits of Red Wine –
- Improves heart health
- Improves cholesterol
- Improves joint mobility
- Improves symptoms of diabetes
- Lowers risk of neurodegenerative disease
Remember, it’s okay to drink alcohol on a ketogenic diet, but keep moderation in mind so that you don’t throw your body out of ketosis. Test your ketone levels after drinking alcohol to see how many glasses it takes to consume to affect your blood ketone levels.
Be sure to check out our extensive list of keto friendly alcohol beverages (beer, wine, and liquor).
NOTE: Consider supplementing your diet with an exogenous ketone such as, Keto OS NAT, before and after consuming alcohol to keep the body in therapeutic levels of ketosis.