In this article, we answer the common question: does non alcoholic beer dehydrate you? We explain the role of alcohol in dehydration, and how to avoid it.
Dehydration is a surprisingly common situation that we often put ourselves through, whether from summer heat, strenuous exercise or consuming certain foods and beverages. Alcohol in particular is widely documented to cause dehydration so we are told to steer clear of beer and wine especially in hot weather, yet the question remains does non alcoholic beer dehydrate you as well?
We answer this question now, and explain how non alcoholic beer and alcoholic beverages both influence body hydration levels, positively and negatively.
Does Non Alcoholic Beer Dehydrate You?
A large portion of the human body is composed of water, and to live a long and healthy life, you need to stay hydrated. Unfortunately, alcoholic beverages like regular beer are diuretics, which means that they push the moisture out of the body, resulting in dehydration.
So naturally, many wonder does non-alcoholic beer dehydrate you as well. Before we can look into whether a non-alcoholic beer will dehydrate you as a regular beer would, it’s important to understand what dehydration is, and what causes it.
What is Dehydration?
In order to survive, the body needs to maintain a certain level of fluids on a continuous basis, and if it loses more fluids than it takes in during a given time, then it is incapable of carrying out essential bodily functions. This is what’s known as dehydration, and it can result in a wide array of health-related issues that begin with dizziness and fatigue, but can ultimately impair cognitive abilities and may even result in a stroke.
What Causes Dehydration?
There are a number of different factors that can cause dehydration. The number one is inadequate fluid intake throughout the day. This is followed by excessive sweating, which can quickly reduce the level of liquids within the body. High temperatures, even without any noticeable sweat, may also result in dehydration. More importantly though, excessive consumption of alcohol can dehydrate the body because of the diuretic effects of the alcohol itself.
Symptoms of Dehydration
When your body becomes dehydrated, the first symptom you will notice is a desire to drink something. Your mouth will feel dry, your urine output will decrease, and when you do have to urinate it will be very dark in color. From there, your body may begin to shake, you may feel fatigue, or you may even develop a headache.
You can familiarise yourself with the signs of dehydration with this article from Mayo Clinic.
Alcohol’s Role in Dehydration
Alcohol plays an important role in dehydration because it is a diuretic and it inhibits the release of ADH and the body. Understanding the behavior of alcohol in the body is therefore vital in knowing whether non alcoholic beer does cause dehydration or not.
Dehydrating Effect of Alcohol
The term diuretic refers to the method in which the consumption of alcohol, or even caffeine for that matter, results in an increased production of urine. This causes the body to shed more fluids through frequent urination, which can contribute to dehydration.
Inhibiting Antidiuretic Hormone
In order to retain water in the body, and more importantly the reabsorption of water into the kidneys, the body needs to release an antidiuretic hormone, more commonly known as ADH. Excessive consumption of alcohol not only increases frequent urination but also suppresses the body’s production of ADH, which further increases the need to urinate.
Effects of Alcohol on Body Temperature
The water level in our body plays a crucial role in the regulation of the body temperature. On a warm day, once the body temperature gets too hot, you will simply begin to sweat in order to cool the body down through a process known as absorption chilling. When you consume high levels of alcohol, your body is incapable of properly regulating temperature, which results in an increased level of sweating.
Why Doesn’t Non Alcoholic Beer Dehydrate You?
Unlike traditional beers which have an alcohol content between 3% and 10%, non-alcoholic beers have an ABV of less than 0.5%. Since alcohol is the main contributor to dehydration in regular-strength beer, this means that non alcoholic beer does not dehydrate you the same way as alcoholic drinks.
Absence of Alcohol
Because a non-alcoholic beer is specifically designed to have virtually no alcohol, it will not dehydrate the body like a regular beer will. It is this absence of alcohol in a non-alcoholic beer that makes it a better choice on hot summer days.
Water Content
Likewise, non-alcoholic beers tend to have a higher level of water than regular beer, which tends to contribute to the body’s hydration. In fact, some brewers physically dilute their beer with water in order to control the ABV levels.
Caloric Content
At the same time, since non-alcoholic beers generally have fewer calories than their alcoholic counterparts, they are the perfect option for a hot summer day. You can drink non-alcoholic beer, guilt-free, knowing that each glass has a lower calorie count than a traditional beer.
Hydration Benefits of Non-Alcoholic Beer
Ok, so we’ve now established that alcohol-free beer doesn’t dehydrate you. On the contrary, non alcoholic beer can actually help you stay hydrated compared with regular beer and other alcoholic drinks.
How Does Non Alcoholic Beer Prevent Dehydration?
Hydrating Properties
Due to its low alcohol content, non-alcoholic beers are perfect for situations when you want that traditional beer flavor but also need something that will rehydrate you. The high water content in most non-alcoholic beer makes it an excellent choice for rehydration.
Mineral Content (Electrolytes)
While high mineral waters may adversely affect the brewing process of a regular beer, many non-alcoholic beers contain a high level of essential minerals including potassium and sodium. These two minerals are electrolytes, that are commonly lost through everyday sweating and are commonly found in drinks like Gatorade or Powerade. In fact, some brands are now starting to create electrolyte beer (read more), designed specifically for post-exercise recovery.
Post-Exercise Hydration
Believe it or not, it is possible for some individuals to consume non-alcoholic beer as part of their post-exercise recovery program. This is because of its hydrating effects, and the combination of water, minerals, and pleasant taste.
Responsible Consumption
As always, it is important to remember to consume even non-alcoholic drinks in moderation. While they may help you to rehydrate, they should not be used as a complete replacement for water and other nutrient-rich alternatives.
Final Answer: Does Non Alcoholic Beer Dehydrate You?
Does Non Alcoholic Beer Dehydrate You? No.
Does Non Alcoholic Beer Dehydrate You? No.
The main cause of dehydration from drinking beer is due to the alcohol present in the brew, which has a diuretic effect on the body, drawing out your body’s water content through urination. Therefore, drinking non alcoholic beer does not dehydrate you, because it has a negligible alcohol content.
On the contrary, drinking alcohol-free and ultra-low alcohol beers can help you stay hydrated when consumed in moderation. This is not only because non alcoholic beer helps you drink more water, but also due to the electrolytes that it contains (eg sodium, potassium) which help to prevent dehydration.
Not only preventing dehydration, drinking non alcoholic beers can help you manage your weight better, as there are less calories from the alcohol – another great reason to give ultra-low alcohol beers a try.
To learn more, check out our articles on whether light beers contain less alcohol (yes they do, and less calories, too) and our FAQ: Does Non Alcoholic Beer Make You Fat?
Cheers!
