What Are the Health Effects of Drinking Non-Alcoholic Beer?
| November 22, 2017Non-alcoholic beer is beer that has had its alcohol content removed after going through the normal brewing process. There are many possible motivations for consuming this beverage, including a desire to avoid intoxication and any risks for alcohol abuse or alcoholism. But what does drinking non-alcoholic beer actually do to your health? A brief rundown will help provide an answer to this question.Non-Alcoholic Beer EssentialsBefore going through the dealcoholization process, non-alcoholic beer contains just as much alcohol as regular beer. Even when dealcoholization is complete, a small amount of alcohol remains (typically 0.5% or less in the U.S.). This means that no non-alcoholic beer is truly non-alcoholic, even if you can consume it in large amounts without feeling any notable effects of intoxication.Health BenefitsOne of the main health benefits of drinking non-alcoholic beer is helping alcohol consumers follow public health recommendations for a moderate level of intake that won’t generally boost the odds of developing diagnosable alcohol abuse or alcoholism. If you want to control your body weight, drinking non-alcoholic beer can help you meet your goals by substantially reducing your intake of drinking-related calories. You may also receive a weight-related benefit by improving your ability to avoid common alcohol-inspired food choices, which often contain high levels of fat.In addition, a switch to a non-alcoholic product will help you avoid a hangover and other unpleasant, drinking-related physical and mental after effects. Finally, the results of a 2011 study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise indicate that consumption of non-alcoholic wheat beer may help athletes lower their risks for inflammation and certain physical illnesses. This effect comes from the presence of beneficial plant-based chemicals called polyphenols.