Lately, there’s been a significant rise in the popularity of an alternative, non-alcoholic variety of the widely popular and loved beverage, wine. A growing number of people are trading in the glass of red for a bottle of alcohol-free white and have seen great results from doing so. But why? From improved sleep to lower blood pressure, how does switching to this alternative prove to benefit both your body and mind?
What is Alcohol-Free Wine?
Source: winesformothers.com
Alcohol-free wine is made from grapes, which are crushed and fermented in order to create wine. Fermentation is the process by which yeast converts sugars into carbon dioxide and ethanol (aka alcohol). During this process, some of the compounds in grapes are extracted into the wine as well. These compounds include anthocyanins (which give red wines their colour), tannins (which give red wines their astringency), and phenolic compounds (which give white wines their aroma).
Once fermentation is complete, the wine must be filtered in order to remove all traces of alcohol from it. This process removes all other compounds besides ethanol as well, leaving you with a beverage that has no discernible effects on the body or mind when consumed!
Lowers Blood Pressure
Source: parade.com
Nonalcoholic wines can help lower your blood pressure levels, which is beneficial for reducing your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Studies have found that non-alcoholic sparkling wine was able to lower participants' diastolic blood pressure by an average of 8 mmHg after consuming just one glass per day over a period of three months. Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number on a blood pressure reading; this measurement represents how tightly your arteries contract when your heart beats — so anything that can reduce this number can be beneficial for lowering your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Reduced Risk of Cancer
Source: foodandwine.com
In general, alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. This is because alcohol is both carcinogenic and mutagenic (it can cause mutations in your DNA). It also increases your chances of developing liver cirrhosis, which can lead to cancer. However, if you choose not to drink at all or limit your intake, you can lower your risk of developing various types of cancers including breast cancer and oral cancer.
No Hangovers
One of the biggest reasons people choose to drink non-alcoholic beer, wine and other drinks is that they don't have hangovers. A hangover is caused by dehydration and inflammation in your brain due to excess alcohol consumption. Alcohol-free wines don't contain any alcohol, so they won't cause any dehydration or brain inflammation. Even if you have one glass of wine before bedtime at night, you'll probably still feel refreshed in the morning rather than groggy from having too much booze the night before.
Weight Loss
Source: innovativehomecare.com
You’re probably not going to lose weight when you drink non-alcoholic sparkling wine, but it could help you stay on track with your diet. If you’re trying to lose weight, then it’s best to avoid alcohol altogether. Alcohol contains a lot of calories. For example, one glass of red wine has about 120 calories, which is nearly half the amount that most women should eat in a day. It also contains carbohydrates and sugar, which can make it harder for you to lose weight if consumed in large amounts.
Low Sugar and Carbohydrate Levels
Non-alcoholic wines usually have less sugar than their alcoholic counterparts because they don't contain any added sugars during fermentation or aging processes. This means that they're much better for your teeth and overall dental health than regular wines and other types of alcohol like beer and whiskey. Beyond that, non-alcoholic wines are also a good option when you're counting carbs or cutting back on sugar, as they have lower levels of both—they can have up to 40% fewer carbohydrates than alcoholic wine, and up to 80% fewer sugars.
Because of these lower levels of sugar and carbohydrate, non-alcoholic wines also have fewer calories than their alcoholic counterparts: a 5oz glass of red or white contains about 140 calories versus the 250 calories in an average glass of red or white wine!
Better Sleep
Contrary to common belief, alcohol does not help you sleep better. It is a depressant that causes your body to slow down and relax, but when the effects wear off, you can often find yourself even more tired than before. In addition to dulling your senses and slowing your reflexes, alcohol consumption impairs the quality of sleep by reducing the amount of time spent in deep sleep and REM sleep stages. Non-alcoholic wine does not have this effect and can actually improve your quality of sleep.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re searching for a more natural drink to enjoy at home, looking to enjoy some time out with friends without the buzz of alcohol on your mind and in your system, or just trying to reach that optimum level of cleanliness inside and out, it’s time you started enjoying the benefits of non-alcoholic wine. The natural antioxidants and health properties can have a surprisingly positive effect on your overall health and well-being. Take advantage of the benefits now by switching over to a non-alcoholic variety of the good stuff.
