Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Good for You?
Many drinkers are seeking an alternative to alcoholic beer, with sales of non-alcoholic beer in the UK growing by 58% between 2019 and 2020. Young adults, in particular, are choosing NA beer in bars, pubs, and supermarkets to help reduce or replace alcohol consumption.
But just how healthy is it?
Let’s look at the health-related pros and cons of non-alcoholic beer.
Important note: At Zero Point Beer, we’re not anti-alcohol. We’re pro-moderation. We’re celebrating the emergence of low alcohol and no alcohol beer as a way to enjoy our favourite drinks with fewer negative impacts on the mind and body.
You can read our alcohol-free beer reviews here. Cheers! 🍻
What is non-alcoholic beer?
Non-alcoholic beer is simply beer that has had the alcohol removed or been brewed so that it contains a very small amount of alcohol.
In the UK, “alcohol-free” beer is allowed to contain 0.05% ABV of alcohol. This is because some alcohol naturally forms as a part of the brewing process.
Is non-alcoholic beer healthy?
Drinking non-alcoholic beer can help you reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, and cut down your calorie intake. Plus, thanks to strict regulations, you know exactly what’s in each bottle or can.
Let’s dig into these health benefits in a little more detail.
1. Non-alcoholic beer can help reduce your alcohol consumption
Alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers have fewer alcohol units in them. This makes it easier to remain within the UK Chief Medical Officers' (CMO) alcohol guidelines, which suggests not drinking more than 14 units per week.
Drinking more than the guideline amount regularly means you’re more likely to develop long-term health conditions. Excessive alcohol consumption, in particular, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, pancreatitis, dementia, and various types of cancer.
So, whether you want to reduce your alcohol consumption a little each week, take a break, or give it up completely, non-alcoholic beer can help.
One reason why non-alcoholic beer is a suitable replacement for alcoholic drinks is that your body associates the taste and smell with standard beer. As a result, it produces dopamine — the chemical that makes you feel happy and relaxed when drinking alcohol.
And research has shown that non-alcoholic beer can promote the same feelings of “reward” as the standard stuff.
2. Non-alcoholic beer can be less fattening
Switching to non-alcoholic beer can be a great option if you’re trying to shift a few pounds. Alcohol can contain as much as 56 calories per unit, but these are essentially “empty” calories, meaning they provide no nutritional value.
By swapping a pint of 5.5% ABV craft beer for a non-alcoholic alternative, you could save a whopping 165 calories from just one drink.
However, you must keep in mind that not all non-alcoholic beers are low in calories — it depends on the ingredients and the brewing process. For example, some brewers add more sugar or artificial sweeteners to help improve the taste of the beer once the alcohol has been removed. Always check the label to ensure you’re getting the calorie-cutting benefits of non-alcoholic beer.
But wait. There’s more.
Drinking non-alcoholic beer could also prevent you from consuming extra calories through food. Studies have shown that alcohol stimulates the nerve cells in the hypothalamus (the part of your brain that controls hormones). This, in turn, increases your appetite, which is why beer can often cause “the munchies.”
And when you combine this phenomenon with the impaired judgement caused by alcohol, you may end up making bad food choices you’ll regret later.
3. You know what’s in non-alcoholic beers
Another benefit of low-alcohol and non-alcohol beers is that you know what’s in them.
Why? Because in the UK, drinks manufacturers must list all ingredients on the packaging — unless it’s an alcoholic beverage containing over 1.2% ABV.
So, when you drink a non-alcoholic beer, you can quickly check the side of the can or bottle to see exactly what’s in it and make healthier choices.
You don’t have this luxury with standard beers.
Are there risks to drinking non-alcoholic beer?
As we’ve discovered, non-alcoholic beer can be healthier than regular beer. However, you should still try to avoid drinking too much of it.
Most non-alcoholic drinks offer minimal nutritional value, mainly consisting of carbohydrates. In fact, the levels of carbs found in NA beer are usually similar (or sometimes higher) than regular beer due to the extra sugar added to enhance the taste.
Another factor to consider is that non-alcoholic beer sometimes contains more alcohol than the label claims. One study proved that many non-alcoholic beers had more alcohol than the label suggested. Of the 45 different beverages tested, 13 contained ethanol levels far higher than the concentration on their label.
And if you’re thinking of using non-alcoholic beer to combat an alcohol addiction, you should know that it can sometimes act as a trigger, creating cravings that could make a relapse more likely.
Although it’s practically impossible to get drunk from drinking NA beer, the similar appearance, smell, and flavour could lead you back to the stronger stuff. Always talk to a healthcare professional before using non-alcoholic beverages to cut down on drinking.
Last orders
Replacing standard alcoholic beer with a non- or low-alcoholic alternative can be highly beneficial for your health. Doing so can help you avoid many of the health complications associated with excessive alcohol consumption, and the clear labelling lets you make healthier, more informed choices.
However, it’s important to note that although they contain less or no alcohol and fewer calories, NA beers still have some calories and carbs. Like alcoholic beverages in general, it makes sense to enjoy non-alcoholic beer in moderation.
Ready to learn more about non-alcoholic beer? Read our guides or find your next favourite low alcohol beer here.