There has been a lot of talk about the health benefits of non-alcoholic beers, but not much is said about the sugar content in these beverages. How much sugar is in non-alcoholic beers, and how does the sugar level compare to other alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks?
Most non-alcoholic beers that we have come across have, on average, less than 1g to 2g of sugar. However, there are some non-alcoholic beers that contain more than 3g of sugar. To put it into perspective, a 12oz can of Coke has 39 grams of sugar, and 8oz of orange juice contains 23g of sugar.
If you’re on the lookout for the lowest sugar non-alcoholic beer, my recommendation is Partake Brewing Pale Ale. It stands out as it has zero sugar, zero carbs, and only 10 calories, while still delivering well-balanced citrus and pine hoppy flavors (read my full review here).
Other non-alcoholic beers with zero sugar include Bitburger Drive, Bud Zero, and WellBeing Brewing Hellraiser Dark Amber.
If you don’t mind a few grams of sugar, consider checking out Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn. This low sugar NA beer is from my favorite non-alcoholic brewery contains 2.8g of carbs/sugar and 45 calories.
How Much Sugar Is In Non-Alcoholic Beers?
Depending on the non-alcoholic beer, it might contain zero sugar in NA beers such as Partake Brewing Pale Ale to several grams of sugar in a non-alcoholic stout like Grüvi Mocha Nitro Stout.
Still, in comparison to other non-alcoholic drinks, the sugar level in many alcohol free and non-alcoholic beers are much lower. Take for example a glass of orange juice, which has 24g of sugar per 8oz. That’s a lot when you compare that to a 330ml can or bottle of non-alcoholic beer, which has around 1g – 2g of sugar on average.
However, when we compare the sugar content in non-alcoholic beers to alcoholic beers, some non-alcoholic beers do contain more sugar than alcoholic beers.
In fact, alcoholic beers like Heineken and Budweiser have zero sugar because of the brewing process and ingredients, which is water, grain, hops, and yeast. In the fermentation process, sugar undergoes conversion into alcohol, leaving the beer with zero sugar.
On the other hand, non-alcoholic beers often have sugar added to enhance the taste after the alcohol is removed.
However, that does not mean that alcoholic beers are better for you. While alcoholic beers may not have added sugar, they do contain carbohydrates, which convert into a type of sugar called glucose. This is why drinking alcohol can raise your glucose level.
So how does the sugar content in non-alcoholic beers compare to other types of drinks? Here is a comparison chart of the sugar level in some of the most popular non-alcoholic beers and in other popular beverages:
| Beverage | Sugar (g per 100ml) |
|---|---|
| Budweiser | 0g |
| Bud Zero | 0g |
| Partake Brewing Pale Ale (Read our review) | 0g |
| Guinness 0.0 (Read our review) | 0.7g |
| Heineken 0.0 (Read our review) | 1.3g |
| Sports drinks like Gatorade | 5.9g |
| Orange Juice | 10.14g |
| Arizona Iced Tea | 10.14g |
| Coca‑Cola | 10.6g |
As you can see, the average non-alcoholic beer has much lesser sugar than many mainstream beverages. Many non-alcoholic beers would in fact be labeled as low sugar according to food labeling laws.
Does Non-Alcoholic Beer Spike Blood Sugar Levels?
Although non-alcoholic beers have fewer carbohydrates and a lower ABV than alcoholic beer, they can still spike your blood sugar levels.
Non-alcoholic beer contains carbohydrates that are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to a spike in blood sugar levels.
If you consume a substantial amount of non-alcoholic beer with high carbs and high sugar in one sitting, it can reduce blood glucose levels and cause hypoglycemia. This poses a risk, especially for those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The key is to choose a low-carb and low-sugar non-alcoholic beer, such as Partake Brewing Pale Ale. Additionally, monitor your blood glucose levels before and up to 12 hours after drinking to ensure there are no dangerous spikes or dips.
Also Read: These Are The Lowest Calorie Non-Alcoholic Beers (0 To 90 Calories A Can)
Non-Alcoholic Beer And Diabetes
If you’re diabetic, you would already know to avoid drinking alcohol because of the immediate risk of having severe hypoglycemia, which is dangerously low sugar level. Alcohol can also interfere with some diabetes medications, which can lead to a drop in blood sugar level.
Even though non-alcoholic beers do not contain alcohol or just trace amounts of alcohol, you would still need to be mindful of the carbohydrate and sugar level.
Fermented beverages like non-alcoholic beers have quite a significant amount of carbs, and if you are a type 1 diabetic, you would need to take these carbs into account when calculating how many units of insulin to take.
If you are a type 2 diabetic, then you would have to “fit in” these carbs into your daily allowance.
We’ve also mentioned about the sugar in many non-alcoholic beers. Keep that in mind when you’re shopping around for non-alcoholic beers, and choose only the lowest sugar non-alcoholic beer options.
Conclusion
While most non-alcoholic beers contain a few grams of sugar and carbohydrates, some non-alcoholic beers have zero sugar like Partake Brewing Pale Ale and Bud Zero.
For other non-alcoholic beers with some sugar, you can maintain awareness of your sugar consumption by checking the nutritional labels first.
Also Read: Know The Pros And Cons Of Non-Alcoholic Beer