Fact or fiction: do low alcohol drinks have fewer calories than regular-strength?
Ah yes, the famed “beer belly…” doomed to catch up to us all. Or is it?
What if we took the alcohol out of the beer? The gluten? What about the calories? What are we left with? Are we setting ourselves up for guilt-free beer enjoyment, or just signing up for sugar and barley under a different name?
How many calories does non-alcoholic beer have compared to alcoholic drinks?
To answer this question, we’re starting with the O.G. Full-strength alcohol beer.
Beer in its natural form is on average higher in calories than other types of alcohol. According to the NHS, here’s how the numbers stack up:
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Standard 175ml glass of 12% wine: up to 158kcal
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Pint of 5% strength beer: up to 222kcal
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50ml glass of 17% cream liqueur: 153kcal
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Standard 275ml bottle of 4.5% alcopop: 154kcal
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Large measure (75ml) of 17.5% fortified wine: 102kcal
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Double measure (50ml) of 40% spirits: 100kcal
As you can see, beer is winning on the calorific maxing. By a long shot.
Traditionally, beer is higher in sugar and carbohydrates, which may invite a whole new host of health complications when consumed frequently.
“But I like beer!” you say. What’s so bad about beer? After all, beer is sophisticated, social, and for some people, occasional. It’s not a milkshake or a soda.
And it is fine, in small quantities. But drinking more than the recommended maximum 14 pints a week could lead to an increase in weight gain. But if you’re willing to skip the side effects (not to mention the hangovers) and opt for a healthier substitute, how about trying non-alcoholic beer?
Whereas full-strength beer averages around 150-180 calories per can, non-alcoholic beer tends to err towards 70 calories per can. There are also alcohol free low calorie options like our Bavarian Helles lager, which is only 66 Kcal per can, while the rest of our beer range averages 25-30 calories per 100ml. This means they are all significantly lower in calories than their alcoholic counterparts. We are also a lower sugar alternative to many other non-alcoholic and alcoholic beers. Many non-alcoholic beers include higher quantities of sugar than their alcoholic counterparts, so it's always best to check the nutritional information if health benefits are something you’re wary of.
Curious how the numbers stack up? Check out this alcohol free beer calories calculator.
Why do full strength alcohol beers have more calories than alcohol free? The answer has to do with the brewing process. Beer is high in carbohydrates and residual sugars because these are the ingredients which create alcohol and give the drink flavour. Brewing without alcohol means we don’t need the same amount of carbohydrates as we don’t need sugars to convert to alcohol in the brewing process. Without most of these “empty calories,” alcohol free beers are automatically lower in calories.
Is non-alcoholic beer better for you?
Besides calories, there are other impacts that beer has on your well-being that alcohol free beer provides a pleasant change from.
Alcohol free beer has been shown to improve blood flow, increase antioxidants, provide vitamin B6, provide potassium (a natural stress reliever), help with muscle recovery, and even assist in regulating your sleep. It may be hard to believe, but non-alcoholic beer is actually rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential to day-to-day well-being. Instead of deterring your daily rituals, beers like Nirvana can fortify it. To learn more about these benefits, be sure to take a look at our related blog, “The Benefits of Alcohol-Free Beer.”
We also have a range of gluten-free beers in our 0.5% range, from our Pilsner and IPA to our stout or Best Amber Ale. Is this healthier do you ask? Well, if you have an intolerance or allergy to gluten then of course it is super important! We use an enzyme which naturally breaks down the gluten which comes from the barley in our beer. Plus all our GF beers are tested to ensure they come under 20ppm, the legal limit in the UK for gluten-free.
So, to make a long story short: yes, alcohol free beer is pretty good for you. There are less calories in non-alcoholic beer. And it makes for a great alternative to full-strength beer. Not to mention the fact that hangovers are wholly deleted when you switch to no & low alcohol beer.
We’ve got a great low calorie range here at Nirvana. With beers that are vegan, gluten-free, and locally brewed, you can be sure you’re investing in the best alternative to full-strength beer with Nirvana. Our taste isn’t just something we talk about. Our customers routinely express their love for our rich, traditional flavour, and our beers have won awards for this exact reason. Try for yourself today!
