Drinking culture in the UK has always revolved around the presence of alcohol. It’s been this way for many generations. Whether it's at home, in a friend's house or at the pub, going out “drinking” has always meant going out, having a great time and coming home a little bit - to very - tipsy at the end of it. But how reliant is this social culture on alcohol consumption? The benefits of alcohol-free drinking and a more sober-curious lifestyle that goes alongside it highlight the benefits of sober socialising. Things that often go unnoticed due to the overpowering idea that getting drunk is the reason we enjoy going to the pub.
It's more than just socialising, though. Alcohol free beer and other non-alcoholic beverages have many other benefits compared to their traditional counterparts that we’d love to share with you! So sit back, relax and allow this blog to take you on a journey of discovery.
Cut down, not out
Some studies have shown that drinking in moderation could actually help prevent heart disease. However, that’s not to say that alcohol is particularly healthy; the negative effects outweigh the positives by quite a margin. This is where the benefits of alcohol-free beer come in.
Scientists in Germany found that non-alcoholic beer slowed down blood coagulation and platelet activation to strengthen the blood flow.
Studies have also found an increase in antioxidants in the blood, plus an enrichment of vitamin B6 from non-alcoholic beer, which can even protect the heart and help to soften the chemical effects linked to cardiovascular disease.
Non Alcoholic Beer Stress Relief
Potassium is a common mineral found in beer known for balancing adrenaline, making you feel calmer and less stressed. 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.
Muscle recovery post-training
The electrolytes in beer help reduce muscle shaking and rehydrate the body after exercise. And, to top this off, the bitter substance found in hops has an all-around 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.
So next time you finish a run, ditch the soft drink or the light beers, vote for better recovery and better sleep post-workout!
Improved Sleep
There was a study carried out which found that the use of hops when tested on work-stressed female nurses, the hops in non-alcoholic beer had a sedative effect on their bodies. This, alongside the relaxation qualities in alcohol-free beer allowed them to have a more restful night’s sleep.
Fewer calories
Drinking alcohol-free beer can be an excellent way to reduce not only alcohol intake, but your calorie intake too. Alcohol is one of the biggest contributors to the overall calorie count in beer, so when you take the majority of the alcohol out, you’re left with a much healthier beverage.
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 newly improved IPA, tend to be the lightest of the lot.
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 core beers are vegan with no added lactose (other than our seasonal Milk Stout!), so it is a great way to try non-alcoholic craft beer with all the benefits of non-alcoholic drinking too.
Trick your brain with low alcohol drinks
Did you know, your body associates the smell and flavour of alcohol-free beer with ordinary beer. This leads to the brain releasing dopamine, the same feel-good chemical you get when you drink alcohol.
Alcohol free beers during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Pregnancy usually signals the end of your favourite tipple for at least 9 months and beyond if you’re breastfeeding. 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 breastfeeding.
As always, though, consult your doctor if you have any queries or concerns about alcohol-free beer during pregnancy.
Same flavour as the original.
Our Bavarian Helles Lager has the same brewing process as a classic Helles lager, but uses a process called de-alcoholisation to remove the alcohol from the finished product. Vacuum distillation is used to reduce the boiling point of the beer, meaning that the alcohol can be extracted without altering the flavours. Meaning it tastes just as good as the full alcohol product.
Non-alcoholic beer rehydrates you.
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.
The other benefits of alcohol-free beer
Even if you’re not fully committed to a no and low alcohol lifestyle, there are other benefits to consuming alcohol-free. For example, it’s the perfect beverage for the designated driver or when you’re on parent duty and fancy a cold one but need to stay alert and don’t particularly fancy the next-morning hangover.
Ready to try the benefits of alcohol-free beer? Take advantage of Nirvana Brewery’s wide range of beer and explore the wonderful world of no and low!
