Are non-alcoholic beers really lower in calories and less sweet than regular beers? To answer this question, we analyzed the composition of several beers sold in supermarkets.
Alcoholic beverages are often high in calories and sugars, especially cocktails and strong alcohol. But are non-alcoholic drinks really lower in calories? When it comes to non-alcoholic beers, the answer is not so simple. Indeed, if a non-alcoholic beer is almost devoid of alcohol, it is not necessarily devoid of sugars.
This is explained by the manufacturing process, which is the same as for a classic beer, but to which dealcoholization is added. Non-alcoholic beers contain hops, malted cereals, yeast, water, but also sometimes natural flavors. Manufacturers can also add syrup or sugar (often in flavored non-alcoholic beers) which can quickly increase their caloric value. This is why it is always worth monitoring the nutritional information of the non-alcoholic beers you buy. Here are some examples.
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Non-alcoholic beer VS beer with alcohol, which has more calories?
If we look at Heineken beer, we see that the alcohol-free version contains 21 kcal / 100 mL and 1.3 g / 100 mL of sugars. The version with alcohol contains 42 kcal / 100 mL and 3.1 g / 100 mL of sugars. The non-alcoholic version of this beer is therefore half as sweet and caloric than the version with alcohol. It’s a bit the same principle for the non-alcoholic Leffe blond beer which contains 40 kcal / 100 mL and 1.1 g / 100 mL of sugars, and 58 kcal / 100 mL and 1.1 g / 100 mL of sugars for the classic version.
But if we compare it with flavored non-alcoholic beers, the gap narrows. For example, Tourtel Twist non-alcoholic beer with raspberry juice contains 31 kcal / 100 mL 5.2 g / 100 mL of sugars. The non-alcoholic beer flavored with citrus fruits and lemon zest, Virgin 00 Desperados contains 29 kcal / 100 mL and 4.8 g / 100 mL of sugars. As you will have understood, non-alcoholic beers are less caloric and rich in sugar than classic beers, provided they are choose unflavored versions to which syrups and sweetening agents are often added.
Head of beauty/fitness/nutrition sections
After working for the Marie Claire and Prisma Media groups, Inès arrived at aufeminin in April 2022. Responsible for the beauty, fitness and nutrition sections, she likes to decipher the latest…