Root beer is a sweet, fizzy beverage with a distinct flavor that’s reminiscent of winter vegetables. This unique drink can be either refreshing or nauseating, depending on your personal taste. Some people love its earthy flavors, while others are put off by its strong and somewhat unusual flavors. Root beer has many different variations, but it’s commonly made from a combination of fermented roots, spices, sugar, and carbonated water. Whether or not this drink is healthy depends on what ingredients are used to make it. But as with any other food or beverage, there are some root beers that are healthier than others. In this article, we’ll explore if root beer is healthy and which variations of the beverage are most nutritious.
Is Root Beer Healthy?
There is no such thing as a “healthy” soft drink because all soft drinks are loaded with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. However, if you’re asking whether or not root beer is healthier than other soft drinks, the answer is probably yes. Root beer usually contains less sugar than most other soft drinks, and it also typically contains some beneficial herbs like ginger and sarsaparilla.
How Is Root Beer Made?
1. Fermentation
Root beer is made from a variety of roots. The main ingredients used to create root beer include sassafras, sarsaparilla, wintergreen, licorice root, and birch bark. These roots are used to make a syrup that’s then fermented and combined with other ingredients. The resulting drink is then carbonated and served in a glass bottle.
2. Flavoring
In addition to the base ingredients of root beer, some drinks may also contain additional flavors like vanilla extract or cinnamon. Some variations of root beer also add other sweeteners such as honey or cane sugar.
3. Other Ingredients
Some drinks may also add fruit juices or flavorings like raspberry or cherry juice along with the sassafras syrup used in the base recipe for root beer. For example, you can find cherry-flavored root beers that contain only natural ingredients and no artificial flavors or coloring agents to enhance the flavor of the beverage.
4. Sweeteners
Some root beers contain sugar or other sweeteners like honey and cane sugar. These drinks may also be flavored with artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin.
5. Bottling
After the roots are fermented, the resulting syrup is combined with other ingredients such as fruit juices and flavorings to produce root beer. The syrup is then carbonated and bottled before being shipped to retail outlets.
Is Root Beer Healthy?
1. The Ingredients
The main ingredients in root beer are sugar, spices, carbonated water and fermented roots. The fermentation process changes the root into a syrup that can then be used for making the beverage. The ingredients in most root beers are similar to those used to make soft drinks. These include sugar and sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup. Other ingredients include preservatives and artificial flavors. Some of these can be harmful if consumed in large amounts over a long period of time, so check the label before you buy.
2. Calories
Nutritionists recommend that you get at least 20% of your daily calories from healthy food sources like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. This is because this type of food is low in calories but high in nutrients that help keep your metabolism running smoothly (1). Drinking a glass of root beer a day could contribute to weight gain if you don’t eat enough healthy foods (2). However, some people choose to drink it because they enjoy the taste. If you’re one of these people, and you want to continue drinking root beer, keep in mind that it’s still not a healthy choice.
3. Sugar
Sugar is added to root beer as a sweetener. Since this drink contains no fiber, it can cause tooth decay if you consume too much (3). If you like the taste of root beer, try to limit yourself to one serving per day or drink it in small amounts throughout the day (4). If you want to enjoy the fizziness of root beer without all the calories, try mixing it with a low-calorie soda like seltzer water or sparkling water. This will give you more flavor without adding extra sugar.
4. Artificial Colorings And Preservatives
Artificial colors are added to some root beers so that they can look redder when they’re served in dark bottles. Unfortunately, these colors are not good for you. Artificial colors are linked to cancer (6), while preservatives such as potassium benzoate (used in root beer) can cause allergic reactions and may be harmful to your health.
5. Alcohol
Root beer is a carbonated beverage, which means that it contains alcohol. It’s usually made with alcohol that has been fermented from the roots of the sugar cane plant. The amount of alcohol in root beer varies; some brands have as much as 10% ABV, while others have less than 2% ABV (8). The higher the alcohol content, the more calories you’re likely to consume by drinking one bottle of root beer. You should drink alcoholic beverages in moderation if you want to stay healthy and fit.
Why Is Root Beer High In Sugar?
1. Root Beer Uses Sugar As A Sweetener
Root beer is basically a carbonated drink that uses sugar as a sweetener. It’s easy to see why the drink would be high in sugar: The main ingredients are brewed roots, spices, and sugar. Most root beers also add corn syrup and artificial flavors. If you’re trying to avoid high-sugar foods, you may wish to avoid root beer altogether.
2. Sugar Can Cause Weight Gain
For many people, root beer is not the best choice for their diet as it is very high in sugar. Sugar can cause weight gain because it triggers your brain to release insulin, which helps store excess calories as fat But this isn’t the only reason why sugar causes weight gain; it also causes inflammation in your body. This inflammation can lead to all sorts of health problems and may even increase your risk of cancer.
3. Root Beer May Lower Your Cholesterol Levels
Some people find that drinking root beer can help lower their cholesterol levels. This may be true, but the reason why is not clear. Studies show that sugar causes your body to release glucose and insulin, which can increase your cholesterol levels. Root beer has a high sugar content and contains ingredients that are known to raise blood sugar levels, so it’s possible that the root beer you drink could be responsible for causing your cholesterol levels to rise. But this is only one of many factors that can contribute to changes in your cholesterol levels; other factors include how much-saturated fat you eat and how much exercise you get.
4. Root Beer Can Harm Your Stomach
Root beer is also high in carbs and may harm your stomach if you drink too much of it in a short period of time. The problem with this sweetened beverage is that it causes an increase in the production of acid in your stomach, which can cause discomfort or pain for some people. When drinking root beer, you may also eat more food because the drink makes you feel full.
Are There Any Health Benefits Of Root Beer?
1. Root Beer Is A Good Source Of B Vitamins
According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, root beer is an excellent source of thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) as well as pyridoxine (B6). Root beer also contains significant amounts of folate, which can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Some people with low levels may also benefit from folate in this beverage.
2. Root Beer Is A Good Source Of Potassium
Like many other drinks, root beer is also a good source of potassium, which can help keep your body’s cells healthy and functioning properly. The drink contains about 2 milligrams per 8-ounce serving, which is about half the recommended daily value for this mineral. But if you consume more than one serving per day, you’ll be getting enough potassium in your diet.
3. Root Beer Is A Good Source Of Calcium
Calcium is an important mineral that plays a role in bone health, heart health, and muscle function. The calcium in root beer is naturally occurring and comes from natural sugars, rather than from added vitamins or minerals like most other sources. If you’re concerned about getting enough of this mineral in your diet, it may be a good idea to include more root beer in your diet as this beverage can help increase the amount of calcium you absorb from food or supplements.
4. Root Beer Can Help You Feel Full
The fiber content in root beer can help keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer periods of time. This drink can also reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes by keeping you feeling full longer when eating regular meals throughout the day. Additionally, root beer contains less sodium than most other carbonated drinks, so it won’t have a negative effect on your blood pressure if you consume it with meals.
5. Root Beer Can Help You Feel Less Hungry
Root beer contains a lot of calories, but it’s also low in sodium and sugar and has a moderate amount of protein. All of these properties combined can help you feel less hungry throughout the day, which may help you eat less overall. The carbohydrates in root beer are also slow-digesting, so they won’t spike your blood sugar levels as much as other types of carbs would.
Bottom Line
Root beer is a sweet, fizzy beverage made from a blend of fermented roots and spices. While it’s often marketed as a non-alcoholic beverage for kids, some varieties of root beer also contain real beer. Although it’s sweet and has a low nutritional value, root beer also has some beneficial properties. It’s important to note that not all root beers are created equally. Not all varieties of root beer are healthy, but some are better than others.
