When Gabriella Prettelt first started bartending about eight years ago, the only customers who ordered non-alcoholic beer were elderly people.

“You won’t see anyone in their early 20s drinking it,” said Pratert, whose bartending work complements her daily work as a dietitian. “Now, I will definitely see more among young people.”

In recent years, as more and more Americans-the popularity of non-alcoholic beer has soared- Especially millennials -Try to reduce or eliminate their alcohol consumption. The sales of non-alcoholic beer increased by 39% in 2019 and another 38% in 2020. Reached $188 million, According to market researcher IRI.

Consumers are no longer limited to brands like O’Doul’s.

A nascent craft scene is led by The Athletic Brewing Co., which is located in Connecticut and was founded in 2018 to produce delicious non-alcoholic beer. The company offers four types of beer, including two types of IPA, and accounts for 46% of the US non-alcoholic craft beer market. Boston Globe.

But the major brewing companies also feel the opportunity: the Boston Beer Company, the Sam Adams manufacturer and Dogfish head Beer, released the first non-alcoholic product, Just haze, March.Anheuser-Busch not only hired former NBA star Dwyane Wade Insert Budweiser Zero, But reportedly plans to launch non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer Account for 20% of its overall beer product portfolio.

Many non-alcoholic beers have been sold as an option to those with healthy conscience who like the taste of beer but don’t want to suffer from the sequelae of alcohol.

Nutritionists guarantee the effectiveness of these products in reducing alcohol consumption, but they did not describe them as a healthy drink. Instead, they see it as an occasional enjoyment and warn consumers not to buy countless claims about its nutritional benefits.

Prettelt, a registered dietitian in the Department of Health and Surgery at Cooper University, said: “I do think that if you want to reduce your diet, or as a stepping stone to a conscious lifestyle, this is a good idea.” It’s like not drinking, because there are calories, carbohydrates and all these things.”

The most common beer There are 145-175 calories anywhere, and some craft beer—especially IPA—over 200 calories. Pale beer contains 95-120 calories. The calorie content of non-alcoholic beer is around 60-120. But compared with regular beer, their carbohydrate content is often almost the same, sometimes even more.

The table below provides a comparison of several regular beers, light beers and non-alcoholic beers. All figures are based on a 12-ounce serving:

Nutritionists advise people to keep their health goals in mind when enjoying the night time. If they just want to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink, non-alcoholic beverages can play a role. But if they adopt a more comprehensive approach to health, they should pay attention to whatever they drink.

Emily Rubin, director of clinical nutrition at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, said: “What does non-alcoholic beer do-it prevents the feeling of alcohol, the feeling of drunkenness.” “So this It’s better if you don’t want to get drunk. And you socially look like you had a drink.”

It can also indirectly help prevent people from taking in extra calories. research shows Alcohol blocks the hormones related to satiety and satiety. It may stimulate the nerve cells in the brain that increase appetite, which helps explain why people eat snacks after drinking all night.

In addition, alcohol can impair judgment and encourage people to eat foods they might otherwise avoid.

Nutritionists advise people not to throw away non-alcoholic beer just because they lack a lot of alcohol. Like regular beer, they are equivalent to empty calories. For example, The Athletic Brewing Company’s Wild Run IPA contains 70 calories and 16 grams of carbohydrates-roughly the same as a slice of wheat bread.

“Will you sit there and eat six slices of bread for no reason?” said Liz Z. Emery, director of the nutrition program at LaSalle University. “It’s good to drink some, but if you are watching calories-in moderation.”

Nutritionists also emphasize that non-alcoholic beer has almost no nutritional value. Instead, they say the health benefits of these products are exaggerated.This includes asserting that beer is polyphenols, Plant compounds are believed to improve digestion and prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

first of all, Polyphenol content in beer Nutritionists say this is still a hypothesis. It is not clear whether large amounts of polyphenols have been transferred from hops and grains to liquid beverages. In addition, anyone who wants to add more polyphenols to their diet can find better sources elsewhere.

“Obviously, fruits and vegetables, spices, tea, and dark chocolate are higher in content,” Rubin said. “And the content of polyphenols in wine is higher than that in beer…. We still don’t recommend drinking any alcohol for polyphenols or antioxidant benefits. We prefer you to eat fruits and vegetables instead of alcohol.”

Nutritionists say the benefits of non-alcoholic beer as a post-exercise drink have also been exaggerated.

Unlike regular beer, non-alcoholic beer does not become dehydrated. They provide carbohydrates and can provide some energy. But they usually lack large amounts of electrolytes, such as magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

Nutritionists say, too, there are better post-workout options. Long-distance running may need to drink sports drinks, because it helps replenish carbohydrates and provide electrolytes. Strength training exercises require more protein.

For example, chocolate milk is a very beneficial post-exercise drink, Prettelt said.

“It contains the carbohydrates you need to help supplement it,” Prettelt said. “It contains the sugar you need to help replenish. It also has some fat. It has everything you need.”

Consumers should know that many non-alcoholic beers contain trace amounts of alcohol, but this is not enough to make people intoxicated.This U.S. Food and Drug Administration Non-alcoholic beer is allowed to contain up to 0.5% alcohol by volume. Beers labeled as non-alcoholic—such as Budweiser Zero—must have an ABV of 0.0%.

Research on the effects of non-alcoholic beer on unborn babies is limited, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention It is recommended that women avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Emery said the most important thing is that non-alcoholic beer is an “excellent substitute” for regular beer because it has no harmful effects of alcohol. It’s just not a healthy drink.

“You don’t really drink it to get nourishment,” Emery said. “But if you want a beer on a hot day, it’s definitely a better choice.”