10 Impressive Benefits of Nonalcoholic Beer

Kicking back with a brewski needn’t necessarily equate to getting squiffy. Nonalcoholic beer makes this tasty beverage accessible to nearly everyone and offers impressive health benefits.

Think about it: Many of beer’s ingredients are plant-based and chock-full of nutritional value. Barley, hops and yeast all benefit various tissues and bodily systems.

What perks can you expect to reap from your next brew? Here are 10 impressive benefits of nonalcoholic beer.

The Pros and Cons of Nonalcoholic Beer: Is It for Everyone?

Many people have no problem enjoying beer, but the nonalcoholic variety has pros and cons. Although these beverages might contain up to 0.5% alcohol per federal law, most brands advertise content as low as zero. Therefore, you could theoretically serve a glass to your toddler with no ill effects, although it’s inadvisable — their wee taste buds won’t know how to tell the difference between it and the real stuff.

However, you should use caution if you’re in recovery. Some people with substance use disorder find the taste of nonalcoholic beer triggering — only you can be the judge. If beer was one of your go-to favorites while you were abusing the substance, it might be best to steer clear.

Nonalcoholic Beer Health Benefits

You’re ready to kick back and crack a cold one. What perks can you hope to reap from your indulgence? Let’s start with six science-based nonalcoholic beer health benefits.

1. It Reduces Your Risk of Infection

Beer contains an impressive array of antioxidants and phytonutrients that can boost your body’s immune response. One study involving marathoners divided runners into two groups, one receiving nonalcoholic beer and the other a placebo. Researchers measured several inflammatory marker levels and found a decided decrease in upper respiratory infection symptoms and overall inflammation among those who enjoyed a brewski.

It might be more important than ever these days to enjoy your favorite nonalcoholic brew. Experts recommend increasing your intake of vitamins A, D and zinc to prevent COVID-19 and possibly future pandemic bugs. Zinc plays a vital role in fermentation, making most nonalcoholic beer a good source of this mineral.

2. It Improves Cardiovascular Health

Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of men and women worldwide. It pays to take care of your ticker, and research shows beer may help you do so.

Multiple studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of moderate alcohol consumption on overall cardiovascular health. However, these effects disappear, and the substance becomes harmful if you overindulge.

Recently, researchers began to suspect that ingredients other than alcohol caused the cardioprotective effects. One study comparing alcoholic and nonalcoholic brews found that each did a similar job of thinning the blood and preventing clot formation. However, only the nonalcoholic beer inhibited thrombin generation, further reducing the risks of a stroke-causing clot.

3. It Reduces Inflammation

You probably don’t think of beer as something with neuroprotective effects. In fact, you probably learned back in high school that this stuff kills brain cells.

That’s not inaccurate to say about alcohol. However, nonalcoholic beer increases your levels of xanthohumol, a molecule that protects your brain cells. Studies in rats show it has an antioxidant effect, protecting brain cells from damage, making it a promising candidate for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

4. It Increases Bone Density

Excessive alcohol consumption can rob your bone strength. However, beer contains compounds that can strengthen your body’s skeleton, making it a useful addition to your healthy sipping routine.

One study found that men and postmenopausal women who consumed no more than two beers daily had stronger bone mineral density. The magic lies in dietary silicon, a vital mineral for bone and connective tissue growth and development.

5. It Promotes Healthy Sleep

Maybe you heard that you should skip the nightcap if you hope to enjoy a refreshing night’s sleep. This advice is sound. Although alcohol might put you under, it causes sleep disturbances when your brain produces more of certain neurotransmitters to return to equilibrium. You end up waking halfway through the night.

However, hops contain a molecule that raises the level of GABA in your brain. This neurotransmitter is your body’s natural valium, telling you to calm down and relax. One study involving nurses found that moderate consumption of nonalcoholic beer improved nighttime rest.

6. It Encourages Copper Metabolism

Copper is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in immune function and red blood cell production. This substance also provides noted beauty benefits, increasing collagen and fighting damaging free radicals. Studies show that rats drinking beer corrected their copper deficiency more effectively than those given water, making the nonalcoholic stuff a valuable source of this mineral.

Nonalcoholic Beer Benefits for Skin and Hair

Beer’s magic doesn’t only work inside your body. It’s also dynamite for external purposes, as it has multiple benefits for your hair and skin. Hello, DIY spa day — it’s time to relax with a brewski and pamper yourself with some nonalcoholic beer beauty recipes.

Let’s finish our list of 10 Impressive Benefits of Nonalcoholic Beer with 4 for the “outer you.”

7. It Helps Prevent Acne

Beer works wonders on acne-prone skin. It dissolves the dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause new pimples to form. It also helps balance your skin’s pH levels, preventing further breakouts.

Make a mask by blending flat nonalcoholic beer with an egg and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply to your face and allow it to dry. Rinse and enjoy the silky clean feeling.

8. It Increases Skin Elasticity

Remember the magic of copper? This mineral increases your skin’s elasticity, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and giving you a plump, healthy-looking complexion.

Increase the moisturizing benefits for combination or dry skin by replacing the lemon juice in the above recipe with a few drops of argan oil. This stuff is noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores if you tend to have ashy cheeks but a few bumps along your nose and forehead.

9. It Destroys Dandruff

Remember, beer can help dissolve dead skin cells. However, that’s not the only reason a nonalcoholic brewski can banish flakes before you pull on that black turtleneck.

Dandruff originates from a type of fungus called Malassezia. Everyone has it, but some people have an overabundance. This stuff also appears in beer, and some people theorize that leaving it sitting on your head will bring your levels back into balance. All you have to do is pour it over your head after shampooing and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse and style as usual.

10. It Deep-Conditions While Adding Volume

Beer contains silica, a key ingredient in many commercial hair products. It works wonders by coating your shafts and keeping them smooth and glossy without weighing them down like heavier products.

You can use the same deep-conditioning mask on your hair as you do on your skin. Blend nonalcoholic beer, one egg and a few drops of argan oil. Apply to clean hair after shampooing and let sit for half an hour. Want to feel more like actress Catherine Zeta-Jones? Replace the argan oil with honey.

Weighing the Benefits of Nonalcoholic Beer

Few things in life are more relaxing than kicking back with a cold one. Fortunately, you can reap impressive health benefits, at least if you stick to the nonalcoholic stuff. Weigh the pros and cons and you’ll come out ahead, as long as you don’t struggle with addiction.

Consider the above array of nonalcoholic beer benefits for skin, hair and more. Then, go out and add a six-pack to your refrigerator today!

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About the Author

Beth Rush

Beth Rush is the Managing Editor and Content Manager at Body+Mind.

Body+Mind features articles about diet, fitness, mental health, parenting and health care.

 

 

 

 

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