While there is little doubt that no and low alcohol drinks are better than heavy alcohol consumption, new data research reveals that alcohol free beer is not exactly the health boost people expect. Scientists have established that drinking two bottles of alcohol free beer a day can drive up sugar levels. This could lead to a build up of insulin in the blood, a protentional diabetes risk. In addition levels of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides - blood fats linked to heart disease also rose with certain types of no or low alcohol beers. Many also had a high calorie content posing the risk of obesity.
Scientists from Germany and the US followed 44 healthy young men who drank either two 330ml bottles of alcohol free beer or water every day for three weeks. Regular blood tests were taken, monitoring what affect if any there would be in health risks. The results published in the journal Nutrients, showed a concerning effect on cardiovascular health.
The results were found to be greater with alcohol free wheat beers and so called 'mixed beers', beers flavoured with orange and lemon soda. No or low alcohol free lighter Pilsner style beers were considered slightly less damaging. Their findings concluded that non alcoholic beer is increasingly consumed as an alternative, but the benefits and risks were not fully known. Mainly due to their calorie and sugar content they could have an unfavourable effect on an individual person's metabolism.
Pub sales of alcohol free beer were a record breaking 120 million pints in 2023, 14% higher than the previous year and a massive 77.8% since 2019.
