The Dangers of Non-Alcoholic Beer
With low levels of alcohol and far fewer calories, non-alcoholic beer can be a healthier option if you’re looking to cut your alcohol consumption or lose a bit of weight.
However, there are a few downsides worth considering before trying NA beer.
Here, we dig into the potential dangers of drinking non-alcoholic beer — and explain who’s most at risk.
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! 🍻
Danger #1: Non-alcoholic beer contains some alcohol
One of the biggest dangers of non-alcoholic beer is that, in some cases, it contains small amounts of alcohol.
UK law states that “alcohol-free” beer can contain a tiny amount of alcohol (less than 0.05%). However, studies have shown that several beers advertising themselves as non-alcoholic contain more alcohol than the concentration stated on the label.
One notable study found that out of 45 non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beers, 13 contained higher ethanol levels than advertised. Certain brands claiming to have an alcohol concentration of 0.0% actually had levels of up to 1.8%.
Therefore, it’s always a good idea to be wary of the ABV levels in non-alcoholic beers. Even though the small amount of alcohol present isn’t enough to give you that tipsy or drunk feeling, it can have severe consequences for some groups of people. These include pregnant women and those with alcohol addiction.
What are the risks of non-alcoholic beer for pregnant women?
Since there’s such a tiny amount of alcohol in most non-alcoholic beers and, as yet, no evidence to suggest that drinking them in pregnancy is harmful, they could be considered a sensible alternative to normal-strength beers when pregnant.
However, it’s important to recognise that there’s no safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. And, because many non-alcoholic beers contain more alcohol than stated on their labels, it may be wise to avoid them altogether while pregnant.
The danger of alcohol consumption during pregnancy:
The Chief Medical Officers for the UK advise that if you're pregnant or you’re planning to become pregnant, the safest approach is to refrain from drinking alcohol to keep risks to your baby to a minimum. Drinking during pregnancy can cause long-term harm to a baby, with higher levels of consumption linked to greater risk.
Drinking no alcohol during pregnancy can eliminate the risk of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), an umbrella term for the problems that can develop if a baby is exposed to alcohol within the womb. The most severe form of this condition, foetal alcohol syndrome, is almost exclusively associated with chronically high consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.
What are the risks of non-alcoholic beer for alcoholics?
Drinking non-alcoholic beer should be carefully considered by those with alcohol addiction.
This isn’t because it often contains a minimal amount of alcohol. The incredibly small levels found in most of these beverages aren’t enough to get you drunk (or even slightly tipsy).
No. The reason is simply that it looks, tastes, and smells the same as alcoholic beer (which is why it's often referred to as “near beer”). By resembling alcoholic beer, it provides sensory cues that could make you crave the real thing. And if cravings are triggered, this can make a relapse more likely.
One study carried out by a team of California scientists demonstrates that smell is enough to trigger these cravings and make a relapse amongst certain alcoholics more likely. If you have an alcohol addiction and you’re considering drinking non-alcoholic beer, it’s best to talk to a healthcare professional first.
Danger #2: Failing to drink them in moderation
Non-alcoholic beer may be inadvisable for alcoholics and pregnant women — however, it can be an excellent option for those who want to reduce their alcohol consumption. Whether you want to drink less alcohol every week, take a break or quit drinking altogether, non-alcoholic beer can be a good alternative to regular alcoholic beer.
And because non-alcoholic beer is lower in calories than standard beer – containing around 56 calories per unit – it’s an ideal alternative if you want to lose weight and improve your health.
However, just because you’re not in one of the at-risk groups described above, it doesn’t mean NA beer is entirely free from downsides.
Non-alcoholic beer contains carbohydrates, which are mostly made up of sugars. While much of this is natural sugar leftover from the fermentation process, sometimes additional sugar is added to the beverage to improve the taste once the alcohol has been removed.
Now, the high amounts of sugar in some non-alcoholic beers isn’t necessarily a bad thing. They can still be a healthy alternative to alcoholic beers. Yet, it does mean they shouldn’t be consumed excessively. Don’t make the mistake of drinking them regularly as a replacement for beverages like water or low-sugar soft drinks. Not only could they lead to weight gain, but the excess sugar can also result in teeth decay too.
Too much sugar can also be dangerous if you have diabetes, as the refined sugars added to some non-alcoholic beers can cause blood sugar levels to spike. NHS advice is that we consume a maximum of 30g of added sugars a day. Drinking too much non-alcoholic beer can quickly take you over this threshold if you’re not careful.
Last orders
Non-alcoholic beers are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to regular alcoholic beer — and with good reason.
Not only can they help you reduce your alcohol consumption, but their lower calorie content compared with standard beers marks them out as a better option if you want to lose weight and improve your health.
However, it’s essential to know the potential dangers of non-alcoholic beer, especially if you’re pregnant or have an alcohol addiction. There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink when you’re expecting, while the look, smell, and taste of NA beer could trigger a relapse if you’re addicted to alcohol.
Always enjoy beer (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) in moderation.