Is Homemade Root Beer Bad For You?
Short answer
Unlike its artificially- and mass-produced counterpart, homemade root beer is not bad for you. It actually contains many ingredients that can help restore good health!
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Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Most people wouldn’t consider a soft drink when looking for something to benefit their health, but there is one you can make yourself that will do just that: root beer. While it’s true that store bought versions contain too much sugar and synthetic ingredients to be thought of as healthy, the natural roots and herbs that go into a home brew do have some fantastic healing qualities.
There is no one true recipe for homemade root beer, but many call for sassafras root, sarsaparilla root, licorice root, ginger root, wintergreen, and cinnamon. These ingredients are all used for their various health benefits. Sassafras can be used for skin problems, gout, and rheumatism; sarsaparilla for premenstrual syndrome and menopause; licorice for stomach ulcers, heartburn, and arthritis; ginger for diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting; wintergreen for external pain relief; and cinnamon for high blood sugar and insulin function. You can’t get all that from a can of A&W!
However, there has been some controversy surrounding the main flavor contributor of root beer, sassafras, as in 1960 the FDA banned its use in commercially made foods and beverages. They believed that the safrole oil produced from sassafras caused liver damage, though this has been strongly contested and sassafras root continues to be widely used in home cooking. Due to a similar flavor, wintergreen can be used instead of sassafras for those with concerns.
Though the process is slightly lengthier than just running down to the store and cracking open a can, nothing can beat the fresh taste and healthy feeling of a homemade glass of root beer. Go on, you know you want to try it!
Possible short-term side effects
- hives or skin rash if allergic to sarsaparilla root
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headache from licorice root
Possible long-term side effects
- potential liver damage if safrole oil is consumed in large quantities
Benefits
- beneficial properties for:
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skin problems
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gout and rheumatism
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premenstrual syndrome and menopause
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stomach ulcers
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heartburn
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arthritis
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diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
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pain
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high blood sugar and insulin function
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Virgil's Zero Sugar Root Beer
- Zero calories
- Keto-friendly
- Great tasting
- No added sugar
- Convenient 6-pack
Learn More!
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Lindsay
Published on: 01-13-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Lindsay
Published on: 01-13-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
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