Healthier habits and lifestyle is one of the main reasons why we switch to alcohol-free drinks. Non-alcoholic beer is one of the most popular options in Spain, but the question always arises: Is non-alcoholic beer good for your health? Yes, and in this article we tell you why and also the myths about beer reviewed by Laura Conde in her article for La Vanguardia.
We have already told you everything about whether non-alcoholic beer makes you fat, but you may not know other benefits of alcohol-free beer, such as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Why non-alcoholic beer is healthy
According to a 2019 study by the University of Castilla La-Mancha published in the journal Nutrients, non-alcoholic beer is beneficial for your health, as it contains a large amount of antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, and does not have the negative effects of alcohol on health. The study indicates that non-alcoholic beer, black beer, and lagers have beneficial antioxidant properties (especially black beer), but alcohol-free beer is the best as it is stripped of the harmful effects of alcohol.
“”Spain is the leading European country in the consumption of non-alcoholic beer, a growing figure that reached 13% of total consumption in 2019.”
In addition, another benefit is hydration, it is a good alternative to hydrate yourself when you go out for a drink. These are two reasons why non-alcoholic beer is healthy. However, the healthiest drink of all is water, and in no way should non-alcoholic beer lower your daily water consumption, according to Laura Bonet, dietician-nutritionist at Alimmenta.
If you are looking for interesting 0% alcohol beers, in our non-alcoholic drinks store you can find the best non-alcoholic beers.
Common myths about beer
In La Vanguardia article, Laura Conde reviews the myths and beliefs about beer (with and without alcohol) based on scientific studies that corroborate or deny the following myths:
Beer makes you fat
That beer makes you fat is one of the most widespread myths. However, a standard beer has a low-calorie content, about 45 calories per 100ml. This makes it a low-calorie drink that, if consumed in moderation, should not affect weight. The problem is that we usually tend to accompany beers with foods that are high in calories. It is precisely this excess of calories that makes us gain weight, not the beer itself.
Along the same lines, Ascensión Marcos, a research professor at the Institute of Food Science and Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN) has conducted several studies on beer and concludes that there is no relationship between beer consumption and weight gain as long as beer consumption is low.
Drinking beer in moderation is healthy
That consuming beer in moderation is healthy is not true. No amount of alcohol is healthy. Alcohol is toxic and it has been shown that even in small quantities it begins to release ethanol and acetaldehyde, the most common carcinogen in the world, present in many fermented foods. Medicadiet nutritionist, Álvaro Sánchez says that “the recommended amount of alcohol is zero, and any other recommendation by a professional is irresponsible.” Although many people think otherwise, beer and wine are harmful because they contain alcohol, even if it is a small amount.
The World Health Organization warns that harmful alcohol consumption contributes significantly to the global burden of disease. And it ranks third among the main risk factors for premature death and disability worldwide. With all this, the best option is not to consume alcohol to avoid risks.
The World Health Organization warns that harmful alcohol consumption contributes significantly to the global burden of disease. And it ranks third among the main risk factors for premature death and disability worldwide. With all this, the best option is not to consume alcohol to avoid risks.
It is good for the heart
The third myth studied is whether beer is good for the heart. On this subject, a study published in the journal Cardiovascular Disease and led by Ramon Estruch, a doctor and researcher at the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, concludes that beer contains polyphenols and other non-alcoholic components that are beneficial to health due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These components are good for protecting the cardiovascular system. However, alcohol unfavorably compensates for these benefits.
“The fact that a food contains certain nutrients does not automatically make it beneficial, (…). In this case, the alcohol content certainly offsets any benefit from these nutrients in an unfavourable way.”
Interesting conclusions that we love to share with you. At The Blue Dolphin Store, you will find a wide range of quality non-alcoholic beers. If you like craft beers, we have pages for non-alcoholic IPA, Ales, and black beers. If you are looking for a lighter non-alcoholic drink we have non-alcoholic lagers or lemon beers. And of course, we also have gluten-free and alcohol-free beers for celiacs.
If you want to read the entire article, click on the La Vanguardia article (in Spanish).
