Why Non-alcoholic Beer Isn't Always the Healthy Option
As we know, alcohol – especially when consumed in large quantities – is detrimental to our health. From cognitive and liver function to metabolic health, the consequences of alcohol can be far-reaching thanks to its chemical makeup. However, now some experts are questioning whether some non-alcoholic options could also have potentially negative health consequences.
In one new study, researchers investigated the effects of a range of non-alcoholic beers on 44 healthy young men's liver, glucose, fat metabolism, and body composition.
In the (deep breath) investigator-blinded, single-centre, randomised study, researchers compared the effects on the metabolism, health, and gut microbiome of three different kinds of non-alcohol beer – pilsener, mixed beer and wheat beer – which the men drank daily.
Over four weeks, the 44 men in the study drank either 660ml of water or 660ml of one of the three non-alcoholic beers, depending on the group to which they had been randomly assigned. The researchers collected blood and faecal samples before and after the four weeks, and also measured participants' body composition and scanned their liver.
They found that those who drank the non-alcoholic beers – particularly the mixed and wheat beers – had increased levels of fasting glucose (the amount of sugar in your blood after not eating for at least eight hours) and increased insulin levels, respectively.
While your body needs insulin to regulate blood sugar, having too much of it for too long can lead to various health complications, including insulin resistance, diabetes and some cardiovascular issues.
The pilsener beer came out slightly better, with both the pilsener and water decreasing cholesterol and LDL levels without significantly affecting glucose metabolism.
The high calorie and sugar content is likely what drives these 'unfavourable effects on metabolism', the researchers concluded. While the alcohol has been removed from these drinks, the team highlighted that they often still contain a considerable number of calories and sugar (which hasn't transformed into ethanol during the fermentation process). The small residual alcohol content (up to 0.5%), they added, could have also contributed to the results.
They also concluded that while non-alcoholic pilsner had fewer adverse effects compared to the other drinks, there was no overarching benefit when compared to not drinking non-alcoholic beers at all.
What's important to remember here, however, is that a lot of soft drinks are also high-calorie and high-sugar. Although you don't want to be drinking them all the time, it's unlikely your health will significantly suffer from consuming them in moderation. Essentially, the same principle applies here. The men in this study drank the equivalent of two non-alcoholic beers a day, and while BBQ season might mean more indulgence than usual, it still doesn't really reflect a balanced approach.
If you are being extra vigilant about your health, these results are potentially quite useful when choosing which type of non-alcoholic beer to drink. For instance, according to this study, you might be best choosing pilsener drinks over mixed and wheat beers – particularly if you're going to be drinking quite a few.
However, more extensive studies are needed before scientists can say anything with complete conviction. The researchers themselves flag several limitations of the study, including the fact it was small and only examined a very specific population. Ethically speaking, they also couldn't include a control group for alcoholic beer.
At the end of the day, it's all about balance and making informed choices that are right for you. Part of the benefit of having so many new non-alcoholic and low-alcohol options is the wide range of formulas available. Among the thousands of products, there are low-calorie and low-sugar options.
Essentially, the message is simple: when it comes to non-alcoholic alternatives, 'in moderation' still applies.
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