Daily intake of alcohol-free beer may raise risk of diabetes and obesity, researchers find

Alcohol-free beer, increasingly popular among health-conscious drinkers, could raise the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity if consumed daily, new research suggests.

While sales are booming and demand for alcohol-free options is higher than ever, scientists say some of these drinks may cause harmful changes to the body’s metabolism.

The study involved 44 healthy young men in Germany and the US who drank either two 330ml bottles of alcohol-free beer or water every day for four weeks. Blood tests were carried out regularly to monitor the effects.

Researchers found a build-up of insulin in the blood – a warning sign that diabetes could develop.

Levels of harmful blood fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides, which are linked with heart disease, also increased with some no- or low-alcohol beers.

The risks appeared greater with wheat beers and “mixed beers” – which are often flavoured with orange or lemon soda. Lighter Pilsner-type beers containing no alcohol or up to 0.5 per cent alcohol had slightly less damaging effects.

Many alcohol-free beers also contain high calorie levels, which may contribute to obesity risk.

The researchers said: “Non-alcoholic beer is increasingly consumed as an alternative to alcoholic drinks.

“But the benefits and risks are not yet known. We found they have an unfavourable effect on metabolism, mainly driven by their calorie and sugar content.”

Pub sales of alcohol-free beers hit a record 120m pints in 2023 – a 14 per cent rise on the previous year and a 77.8 per cent increase since 2019.

The sharp rise reflects a shift in drinking habits, with more Britons choosing to avoid alcohol in favour of what are seen as healthier alternatives.

While cutting back on alcohol is widely considered beneficial to health, the findings suggest that alcohol-free beers may not be as harmless as many believe.