What are the benefits of alcohol free beer?
Drinking culture in the UK has, for a very long time, revolved around the presence of alcohol. Whether it's at home, in a friend's house or the pub.
But how much of this social culture is genuinely reliant on the consumption of alcohol itself? For many people, the answer would be -‘Entirely, of course!’.
However, there are lots of benefits to socialising besides drinking beer and that go unnoticed due to the over-powering idea that getting drunk is the reason we enjoy going to the pub.
After doing a bit of research, we found quite a few reasons for you to switch to alcohol free beer. Some may be surprised to hear!
Cut down not out.
Some studies have shown that drinking (in moderation) could actually be beneficial to our health by helping to prevent heart diseases, but often the negative effects of alcohol outweigh the positives.
Alcohol free is better for you overall.
Scientists in Germany found non-alcoholic beer slowed down blood coagulation and platelet activation to strengthen the blood flow.
Studies also found an increase of antioxidants in the blood, plus, an enrichment of vitamin B6 from nonalcoholic beer can even protect the heart and helps to soften the chemical effect linked to Cardiovascular disease.
Drinking non alcoholic beer can be stress relieving.
Low alcohol beers are a mineral-rich, electrolytic beverage that bears a similar particle concentration to blood.
This allows the particles to be taken in and absorbed much faster than other beverages, meaning the effects are felt much quicker.
As well as this, potassium is a common mineral found in beer that is known for balancing adrenaline, making you feel calmer and less stressed.
Alcohol-Free Beers Help your muscles recover post training.
The electrolytes in beer help reduces muscle shaking and rehydrate the body after exercise.
And, on top of this, the bitter substance found in hops has an all-round soothing effect on the body!
Although it has trace amounts of alcohol, drinking alcohol free beer after physical activity can aid recovery, compared to other sports drinks, as well as other great health effects, such as protecting the immune system.
In recent years, various sports people have being realising the other benefits of replacing the isotonic drinks with their higher calories and artificial sweeteners.
This has proven so popular that breweries have been established to cater for this market such as Athletic Brewing Company.
So next time you finish a run, ditch the soft drink or the light beers, vote for better recovery and better sleep post workout!
Non Alcohol Beers can have a sedative effect leading to better sleep.
This study found that, when tested on healthy female nurses, the hops in non-alcoholic beer had a sedative effect on their bodies, allowing them to have a more restful night’s sleep.
Not only lower alcohol content, but fewer calories!
For those watching their diet, drinking an alcohol-free beer can be an excellent way to reduce not only calorie intake, but your alcohol intake too.
Typically, an alcoholic beer falls between 180 and 250 kcal per pint, whereas alcohol-free beers are often as low as 50-80 calories per 330ml bottle.
Hop-forward beers, like our Hoppy Pale Ale, tend to be the lightest of the lot.
Alcohol-Free beers support a healthy lifestyle.
For those of us looking to lead a healthy lifestyle, switching for one of your normal full strength beer is a great way to drink less alcohol, have the same feelings but avoid those empty calories.
Watch out for alcohol-free beers with added lactose, as this tends to send the calories creeping up and isn’t suitable for a vegan diet.
At Nirvana, all of our beers are vegan with no added lactose, so it is a great way to try nonalcoholic craft beer with all the benefits of non alcoholic drinking too.
So if you are looking for new non alcoholic beers or low alcohol or a non alcoholic drink.
Trick your brain with low alcohol drinks.
Did you know, your body associates the smell and flavour of ordinary beer, which leads to the brain releasing dopamine; the same feel good chemical you get when you drink consume alcohol.
Research has found that drinking non alcoholic beer gives you the same feelings of a full strength beer.
Alcohol free beers are suitable during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Pregnancy usually signals the end of your favourite tipple for at least 9 months and beyond if you’re breast-feeling.
But with a huge selection of alcohol-free options now available, expectant mothers have many excellent substitutes when wanting to go out and enjoy themselves.
Not only that, but some scientists believe it to be beneficial to you!
The folic acid found in beer helps to stimulate the production of milk during breast-feeding.
As always though, consult your doctor if you have any queries or concerns about alcohol-free beer during pregnancy.
Alcohol Free beers can have the same flavour as the original.
Our Bavarian Helles Lager (which has the same brewing process as the classic Helles wheat lager without the alcohol (Try the finished product here) is chock-full of folic acids, and rich in vitamins and minerals, with even less calories and greater nutritional benefits than light beer or beer with more alcohol.
Because we are true to the production style, the flavour is nearly the same.
Non alcoholic beer rehydrates you.
It’s well known that not drinking enough water can leave us feeling weak, light-headed and tired.
You know that feeling when you’re sitting at your desk and brain fog sets in - you struggle to concentrate and feel the onset of a headache.
While alcoholic drinks certainly feel thirst-quenching, the alcohol inside actually dehydrates you more.
An alcohol-free beer however gives you that much-needed rehydration while still feeling like a treat.
Add to that, the electrolytes in alcohol-free beer help you to absorb the water more effectively - that’s right, non-alcoholic beer is actually an isotonic option.
Nonalcoholic beer kills the hangover.
While we’re on the subject of hydration, a problem that the majority of human beings find when they get drunk, is the horrendous after effects that arise the morning after affecting you physical health as well as your mental health.
This is because of dehydration caused by alcoholic intake, the lack of core salts, vitamins and minerals in the body, and is usually dependent on how inebriated you are when you fall asleep!
The moreish quality of regular beer, however, tends to make you want another and another and thus the blood-alcohol levels continue to rise until peaking around the time you decide to sleep.
But could simply switching to alcohol-free beer towards the end of an evening eradicate this problem entirely? Worth a try we think!
Why not try alcohol free beer?
It settles that urge we all have to drink more alcohol while, at the same time, hydrating you with electrolytes, replenishing lost vitamins and minerals and easing you softly out of that drunken state. Give it a go!
Drinking non alcoholic beers has other health benefits!
Lots of us like to drink alcohol, but some times that is not an option.
Perhaps you are the designated driver, or maybe you are trying to achieve reduced anxiety or reduce inflammation or perhaps you are just generally trying to lower your alcohol consumption.
When you harness the benefits of non alcoholic beer, remember you also get the benefit of reduced calories and alcohol consumption.
Non alcoholic beer, have you tried it?
So, are you ready to leave your regular beers in the fridge, not sacrifice taste and reach for a healthier option?
Try our non alcoholic beers we’ve got a fantastic range, from classic Bavarian beers to flavoured IPAs and lagers, check out our store here.
