Damp February is in full swing, friends!
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| | | Cutting down on drinking alcohol is the best thing I've ever done for my health, hands down. I went from drinking at least a few times a week to only a couple of times a month. It's done wonders for my sleep — no more waking up with that awful empty, groggy feeling. And getting better sleep has had a domino effect on other areas such as my mood, appetite, and ability to focus. | | If I'm at a social event where everyone else is drinking alcohol and I am not, I find it's helpful to bring along some nonalcoholic (NA) beverages to sip so I don't feel like my arms are awkwardly hanging at my sides. This got me wondering: Are these alcohol alternatives any healthier than the real stuff? Below, Kirsten Seele, a registered dietitian at Healthline, answers that and more. | | | | | | | Bottoms up!
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
February 18, 2025 • 4 min read | | | |  | | | | Q: | Are nonalcoholic beers and wine good for you? | | | A: | If you frequent breweries, wineries, bars, or even the beer and wine aisle at the grocery store, you may have noticed an increase in nonalcoholic beverage options. In the U.S., this label means it's 0.0% to 0.5% alcohol.
I want to emphasize the main benefit of nonalcoholic beverages: They don't put you at risk of the health effects of drinking alcohol.
That being said, a nonalcoholic beverage does not necessarily have fewer calories, carbs, and grams of added sugar than one that contains more alcohol. You'll always want to check the nutrition label to see what your drink of choice contains. (For a 12-ounce NA beverage, I try to aim for under 100 calories, but that's just a loose guideline.)
One benefit of alcohol-free wine, in particular, is that it contains polyphenols. These antioxidant compounds can fight off free radicals that would otherwise damage your cells and increase your risk of conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Polyphenols may also reduce inflammation, which is thought to be the root cause of many chronic health conditions.
Just like many of my clients and our readers, I'm on my own journey of trying to navigate where (or if) alcohol has a place in my life. Part of this has to do with my passion for liver health, which I discussed in a previous edition of our newsletter. I've seen the consequences of addiction firsthand. And the recent U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory about the potential link between alcohol and cancer has further opened my eyes. So it's exciting for me personally to have so many NA options to choose from these days. Taste is highly subjective, but I've tried my fair share of NA drinks, and I find them very palatable!
If you are managing alcohol use disorder, I recommend speaking with your support network before exploring these NA options. If you are pregnant, I would not risk engaging in the NA options since some contain up to 0.5% alcohol per serving.
Speaking of healthier NA options, our editors recently tested several mocktail recipes that are low in added sugars and packed with natural flavor. Check them out! | | | | | Kirsten Seele, Registered Dietitian | | | Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) | | | | | | | The nearest beer | | | | |  | | Athletic Brewing Company Craft Non-Alcoholic Beer | | There's a lot of hype around Athletic Brewing right now, and I can't say that I disagree. Their NA beers really do taste like something you'd get at a regular craft brewery — smooth, tangy, and with an impressive depth of flavor. If you're interested, I highly recommend their hazy IPA. Better yet: Each can has only about 65 calories! | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | What we're digesting | | 🍎 5 diet tips for people with COPD. Maintaining your nutrition while managing this condition doesn't have to be boring or difficult! | | 🧪 PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test: When do I need to get one? Here's what you need to know. | | 🏥 The signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma. You should consult a doctor immediately if you notice any of the potential warning signs. | | ❤️🩹 Do you know your heart-healthy foods? Take our quiz to find out! | | | | | How did you feel about this newsletter? | | | | | Email nutritionedition@healthline.com with comments related to this newsletter or topics you'd like to see in future editions. The newsletter editors read every message that lands in our inbox — yes, really! We look forward to hearing from you. | | | | Until next time, |  | Take care of yourself, and we'll see
you again soon! | | | | |  | | This edition was powered by | | quality sleep.️ | | | | |
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