SUBSCRIBE
Monday, May 12, 2025
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

Know your booze’s alcohol content

by Refilwe Mekoa
7th February 2024
in My Health
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
As a drinker, you should be aware of important facts like the alcohol content in your booze. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

As a drinker, you should be aware of important facts like the alcohol content in your booze. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

As throats begin to open with the festive season on the horizon, it is important to know the alcohol percentage of your favourite drink. It will determine how quickly you become intoxicated and if it’s too high, it may be dangerous.

As you probably know, beverages like beer, wine, spirits and champagne contain alcohol, the ingredient that gets you drunk. But it is not something that grows on a tree or in the ground. It is created by a process called fermentation, explains South African brewmaster, Aphiwe Nxusani.

South African brewmaster Aphiwe Nxusani. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Alcohol by volume is the metric used to determine the alcohol content of beverages. Nxusani explains that this measurement shows what percentage of the beverage’s total volume is pure alcohol.

“In beer brewing this is a level of alcohol produced by the yeast during fermentation. The percentage varies for various products. The level is linked to the number of sugars present in the wort,” says Nxusani. (The wort is the liquid that is mashed from the grain, that is then used to ferment beer or whiskey.)

When it comes to liquor, not many people know enough about the process that goes into the making of their favourite drink. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Some people prefer it lighter

Many brands have drinks with low alcohol levels, and it comes as no surprise that these more health-conscious beverages are having a moment, Nxusani observes.

Beers with the lowest percentage on the market include Heineken 0.0, Castle Free and Devils Peak Hero, including a few microbrewers that have also launched their own versions.

Marona Seekane is from the South of Johannesburg. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Beers with a high percentage include commercial beers like Castle Milk Stout, which has the highest alcohol at 6%, and on the Craft brewing side Triggerfish is known for making 9% alcohol beers, says Nxusani. 

She believes it is important for consumers to always check the level of alcohol as it influences their level of intoxication after consumption.

Drinkers weigh in

Mzansi ranks the sixth highest as per capita booze consumers on the globe. Health for Mzansi spoke to some socialisers to assess their knowledge about the alcohol percentage in their favourite drink.

Marona Seekane (27) from the south of Johannesburg says all she knows is that the higher the percentage, the quicker she will get intoxicated.

She adds that her choice of beverage is first determined by taste, experiences and then the alcohol percentage.

You can enjoy your favourite drink, but use it responsibly and know your limits. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

“The highest percentage I have consumed was 34%, which is a Lupini sambuca. I’m not sure if it’s important to know the alcohol percentage before purchasing your beverage, I think taste should be the biggest deciding factor. I enjoy a good mimosa or a good old cold beer,” she says.

Meanwhile Kwena Seema (25) from Ormonde in Johannesburg says checking the percentage of her drinks is second nature to her. Checking is important for your safety, she believes.

“The highest alcoholic percentage I have drunk is 75.5%. I think it’s important to check the alcohol percentage before consuming any drink, because one must know how much alcohol they are taking and what percentage is being ingested per serving for an individual,” Seema adds.

Mmangaliso Khumalo (23) from Braamfontein shares her sentiments. “My favorite drink is wine, because it has every flavour to help you relax and they blend swiftly with different meals prepared.”

Avoid babalas

Nxusani explains that a hangover is not really caused by the level of alcohol percentage one consumes. She says for one to avoid a hangover, the key issue is to drink on a full stomach and have enough water to keep hydrated. 

Mmangaliso Khumalo is from Braamfontein in Johannesburg. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

“Spirits have the highest alcohol content and beer is actually the lowest. An alcohol percentage does define a particular beverage – by legal definition certain products have to have certain level of alcohol content. 

“The Liquor Products Act gives definitions for the various alcohol products per alcohol type. The higher the alcohol percentage the more alcohol gets absorbed into blood stream and more drunk a person becomes versus drinking low alcohol beers,” Nxusani concludes.

ALSO READ: The health benefits of fermented foods and drinks

Tags: Festive season
Refilwe Mekoa

Refilwe Mekoa

Related Articles

Pregnancy
My Health

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

by Vateka Halile
9th May 2025
Thyroid health: When weight gain isn’t just about food
My Health

Thyroid health: When weight gain isn’t just about food

by Vateka Halile
24th April 2025

Stories

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites
Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics
Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy
Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen
No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches
How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth
Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing
Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers
No Result
View All Result

Latest

Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food
Health Heroes

Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

by Vateka Halile
12th May 2025

Pregnant at university. First in her family to study. Now a leader in chronic disease prevention. Dietitian Phumelele Mthembu didn’t...

Read moreDetails
Pregnancy

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

9th May 2025
Lung disease

Beyond the cure: Many TB survivors face lung disease

8th May 2025

Time to revive Mzansi’s nutritious indigenous crops

7th May 2025
Indigenous foods

Indigenous foods: Nature’s wisdom in every nourishing bite

6th May 2025
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Awards & Impact
Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy
Copyright

Somagwaza

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites

cropped-scott-webb-yekGLpc3vro-unsplash.jpeg

Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics

Dr Sinethemba Makanya

Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy

Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

Beyond the cure: Many TB survivors face lung disease

Time to revive Mzansi’s nutritious indigenous crops

Indigenous foods: Nature’s wisdom in every nourishing bite

Art meets medicine: Mother and daughter share grit and glory

error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers