As more people seek healthier options and explore non-alcoholic beer, a common concern I hear from people I meet is whether non-alcoholic beer affects our kidneys like regular beer does.
Since non-alcoholic beer is not diuretic, it does not affect your kidneys the way that alcoholic beers do. That said, there aren’t many studies done yet on the effects of non-alcoholic beer on the kidneys.
But, non-alcoholic beer has been shown to contain beneficial nutrients that improve gut health and can actually lower the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in folks with normal kidney function.
Some alcohol free beers like the Erdinger Alkoholfrei are also isotonic with added electrolytes and will hydrate you rather than dehydrate you.
Therefore, it is safe to assume that non-alcoholic beer won’t have a negative effect on your kidneys.
Why Regular Alcoholic Beers Affect The Kidney
The kidneys help to filter waste and excess fluids from our blood. Alcohol puts an extra load on your kidneys as they kick into high gear to filter out the alcohol, which they consider a toxic substance.
When we drink alcohol, it enters our bloodstream and reaches the kidneys, causing different types of problems to the body.
Alcohol can also disturb the balance of important electrolytes like sodium and potassium in our bodies, which are needed for proper kidney function. The kidneys may struggle to regulate water and electrolyte levels effectively when these electrolytes are imbalanced.
Another effect of alcohol on the kidneys is dehydration. As a diuretic, alcohol increases urine production which leads to a loss of fluids from the body. This puts additional stress on the kidneys as they strive to maintain the body’s proper fluid balance.
This is why long-term excessive alcohol consumption can cause kidney inflammation, which progressively harms the kidney tissues and impairs their overall function.
Effects Of Non-Alcoholic Beer On The Kidney
1. It helps to improve blood circulation
While there haven’t been many studies yet on the effects of alcohol-free beer specifically on the kidneys, there’s some encouraging research showing its positive impact on overall cardiovascular health.
It has been found in several studies that alcohol-free beer can actually help improve blood circulation, lower the risk of thrombosis, and reduce the chances of your arteries getting clogged with plaque.
These benefits can contribute to a healthier kidney function since we know the kidneys also play a role in keeping blood pressure levels in check.
Also Read: Can Diabetics Drink Alcohol-Free Beer?
2. But, artificial sweeteners might have negative effects on the kidneys
Non-alcoholic beers are typically brewed using water, hops, barley malt, and yeast.
However, some non-alcoholic beers also incorporate additional ingredients like artificial sweeteners such as Sucralose (Splenda) or sugar alcohols like xylitol or sorbitol to enhance the beer’s flavor.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols safe for consumption within an acceptable maximum daily intake.
However, concerns and doubts persist regarding the potential adverse effects of artificial sweeteners.
Also Read: Does Non-Alcoholic Beer Make You Bloated?
Conclusion
Alcohol causes long-term damage to our kidneys, and switching to non-alcoholic beers can help improve your kidney health while still allowing you to enjoy the taste of beer.
If you aim to decrease or eliminate alcohol consumption for the sake of kidney health, you will experience significant advantages simply by abstaining from alcohol.
Being aware of these benefits when you indulge in your preferred non-alcoholic beer might enhance your enjoyment of the beverage even more.
Also Read: Why Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Expensive? Here’s The Reason Why.