Explore the growing trend of non-alcoholic beverages, from health benefits to innovative flavours. Discover why more people are choosing alcohol-free options for a balanced lifestyle.
Alcohol has been a part of social gatherings, celebrations, weddings, and daily life for centuries! In fact, beer was discovered in Israel in 11,000 BC, and evidence of rice beer was found in China around 7,000 BC.
Many people around the globe still love to knock back a pint after a long week at work. However, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Alcohol is no different, as binge drinking and heavy drinking can be detrimental to your health.
In England alone, approximately 602,391 adults are estimated to have a drinking problem. As of 2019, roughly 209 million people worldwide (aged 15 and older) were living with alcohol dependence.
Even without an alcohol addiction, drinking more than your body can filter can lead to weight gain, depression and organ failure. These are the red flags that have led many to seek non-alcoholic options, and the market has sky-rocketed!
In 2023, the global non-alcoholic drinks market was valued at approximately $1.46 trillion. That equates to a whopping £1.17 trillion. In the US, non-alcoholic beer accounted for 84% of these sales. In the same year, approximately 5.2 million people in Great Britain consumed non-alcoholic beer and cider.
Therefore, it is safe to say that non-alcohol options are on the rise. But why? Let’s discuss it.
Why The Shift?
The shift away from alcohol is about avoiding alcohol-related health risks and changing the way we think about drinking. In the UK, there has been a significant rise in “mindful drinking” which shows the growing desire among Britons for balance and a better understanding of how alcohol affects their well-being. People are making conscious choices about what they eat, drink, and how they live.
Health Risks Associated With Alcohol
Alcohol can have both short-term and long-term impacts on your health, and alcohol misuse remains a leading risk factor for ill health and disability among individuals aged 15 to 49 in the UK. While a single drink on occasion might not cause immediate harm, there is no denying that regular and heavy alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on your health.
- Weight Gain: Alcohol is calorie-dense. A pint of beer roughly has 150 calories, a glass of wine about 120 calories and a mixed drink (e.g., vodka tonic) about 200 calories or more. However, alcohol provides “empty” calories. This means it does not offer any vitamins or minerals. Therefore, your body treats alcohol like a toxin, focusing on breaking it down first (over other nutrients). This can slow down the burning of fat and interfere with your metabolism.
- Mental Health: Alcohol is notorious for making anxiety and depression worse. The mental fog that follows heavy drinking, commonly referred to as a “hangover,” can also impact your cognitive function, productivity, and emotional well-being. Not to mention, chronic alcohol use is linked to long-term brain changes that can affect your memory and decision-making abilities.
- Liver Damage: Probably one of the most well-known dangers of alcohol is the effect it has on your liver. Chronic drinking can cause liver inflammation, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. This is because your liver is responsible for processing alcohol, but when it is overwhelmed by regular alcohol intake, it can no longer function effectively, leading to severe health complications. In 2022, there were 27,419 hospital admissions due to alcoholic liver disease in England.
- Heart Disease: Drinking alcohol in large quantities or over a long period can also increase your risk of developing heart disease. Heavy drinking can raise your blood pressure, lead to irregular heart rhythms, and even cause heart failure. Even moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, especially for those with other underlying conditions such as diabetes or obesity.
- Cancer: Not many people are aware that alcohol consumption has been linked to several types of cancer, including liver, breast, mouth, throat, and oesophageal cancers. Even small amounts of alcohol can increase your risk, as alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organisation. A Group 1 carcinogen is a substance that has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as known to cause cancer in humans. Therefore, the more frequently you drink, the higher your risk of developing alcohol-related cancers.
Non-Alcoholic Options To Pick & Choose From
Non-Alcoholic Beers
Non-alcoholic beer has seen a significant boost in popularity, especially after 2020! Famous beer brands that have launched their non-alcoholic ranges take pride in their non-alcoholic beers, offering all the flavour and refreshments of regular beer. In 2023, over 120 million pints of no-and-low-alcohol beers were consumed across the UK. On top of that, about 86% of UK pubs now offer at least one no- or low-alcohol beer.
Mocktails
Mocktails (non-alcoholic versions of your favourite cocktails) are now common at bars and restaurants across the United Kingdom. Many cocktail bars even have entire menus dedicated to mocktails like a Virgin Mojito, a Nojito, or a Shirley Temple.
Non-Alcoholic Wines And Spirits
There is a growing range of non-alcoholic wines and spirits for those who enjoy sipping wine. These alcoholic alternatives mimic the flavours of gin, rum, and vodka, letting you enjoy the same taste without the negative effects.
Health-Conscious Beverages
Beyond traditional non-alcoholic options, there has also been a rise in health-conscious drinks like kombucha, sparkling waters, and CBD-infused beverages.
Reflecting On The Main Points
Alcohol was a common pastime in some of the earliest civilizations and is still a popular choice for many who want to unwind after a long day. However, saying it comes without consequences is an understatement.
Of course, whether you are educating yourself on the non-alc options out there or cutting alcohol out of your life completely, we hope this article has helped.
