The benefits and harms of soft drinks: beer, wine, cocktails

Gastroenterologist at the Andreevskie Hospitals Medical Center – Nebolit

“Soft drinks, unlike alcoholic drinks, do not contain spirits such as ethyl alcohol.”

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What we’ll tell you about

The benefits of soft drinks

Soft drinks, including non-alcoholic beer, wine and cocktails, offer a wide range of tastes and flavors without the harmful effects associated with alcohol.

Quality Ingredients. Soft drinks, especially those made with natural ingredients (fruits, berries, herbs and spices), have no detrimental effects on the body.

Vitamins in the composition. Many soft drinks are made with added vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium and magnesium, which play a key role in metabolism, bone and nervous system function.

Reduced risk of disease. Some studies show that drinking non-alcoholic beer lowers cholesterol levels and prevents the development of cardiovascular disease. Also, cocktails based on fresh fruits and vegetables help normalize blood sugar levels and strengthen immunity due to the high content of antioxidants.

Harm of soft drinks

Aside from the benefits, it’s worth looking at some of the potential harmful aspects of soft drinks.

High sugar levels. Most soft drinks contain high levels of sugar, which can lead to a number of health conditions including obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. As well as causing blood glucose levels to spike and lead to the development of diabetes.

Artificial additives and preservatives. Such ingredients can cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, negatively affect the intestinal microbiota and lead to various gastrointestinal disorders.

Addiction. Although soft drinks do not cause the same physiological and psychological dependencies as alcohol, some people can become psychologically dependent on them. This is especially likely in the case of drinks high in sugar or caffeine, such as carbonated drinks and energy drinks.

How to avoid harm?

To avoid the harmful effects of soft drinks, it is advisable to choose drinks with minimal sugar and artificial additives and consume them in moderation.

It is best to favor products based on natural ingredients and avoid those that contain added preservatives and colorings. In addition, it is important to monitor your consumption and avoid excesses, especially for beverages high in sugar or caffeine.

The benefits and harms of non-alcoholic beer and wine

Let’s look at the benefits and harms of each beverage separately.

Benefits of non-alcoholic beer

Hydration and refreshment: non-alcoholic beer consists mainly of water, which helps to hydrate the body and provides a feeling of refreshment.
Rich source of vitamins and minerals: some non-alcoholic beers are fortified with B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and potassium.
Low in calories: compared to regular beer, non-alcoholic beer has far fewer calories, which is especially appealing to those watching their weight.

Harms of non-alcoholic beer

Sugar content: some brands of non-alcoholic beer contain high amounts of sugar, and this is undesirable for those suffering from diabetes.

Processing and additives: some manufacturers add artificial additives and preservatives to improve flavor and increase shelf life, which can negatively affect long-term health.
Pathogens: non-alcoholic beer promotes the growth of harmful microorganisms. In one study, biotechnologists introduced five strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytigenes bacteria into non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers and then monitored their growth for 63 days. The results showed that E. coli and Salmonella survived in the beverages at all temperatures, acidity and strength tested.
Change in a man’s hormonal background: as a result of frequent consumption, testosterone is replaced by estrogen – the female hormone begins to dominate. Consequences – expanding pelvis, growing breasts and abdomen and even decreased potency.
Change in a woman’s hormonal background: the female hormone is replaced by the male hormone, causing a coarse voice and an increase in body weight.
Use of cobalt: some manufacturers resort to chemical processes to increase the foam, using cobalt in the composition. This component has a negative impact on the kidney and liver, digestive and cardiovascular systems. The substance is processed into uric acid, which leads to the corrosion of synovial fluid that fills the joint cavity. This often becomes the cause of arthritis. It also contains syrupy oils, which negatively affect the liver, accumulate in tissues, corrode the mucous membrane of the stomach, increasing the risk of gastritis and ulcers.

Benefits of non-alcoholic wine

Antioxidants: non-alcoholic wine made from natural ingredients such as grapes contains antioxidants. They help fight inflammation and protect the body’s cells from damage.
Useful elements: some types of non-alcoholic wine are fortified with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and calcium.

Harms of non-alcoholic wine

High calorie: such drinks are high in calories, especially if they have added sugars or syrups to enhance the flavor.
Effects on stomach acidity: even non-alcoholic wine contains acid that stimulates the production of gastric juice. Therefore, people with gastritis and other gastrointestinal problems should limit the drink.
In non-alcoholic wine, the content of ethyl alcohol does not exceed 0.5%, and the other components of the original grape raw material are also present. Among them – sulfur dioxide, which can cause an adverse reaction in people with high sensitivity, exacerbation of bronchial asthma, as well as allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

Comparison of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages

Harm of alcohol

Liver and organs: excessive alcohol consumption leads to various liver and gastrointestinal diseases such as cirrhosis and pancreatitis.
Risk of addiction and negative impact on mental health: alcohol causes physical and psychological dependence, and increases the risk of depression and other mental disorders.

Advantages of soft drinks

Safety: soft drinks do not cause intoxication and have less potential for abuse, making them safer to consume.
Health: soft drinks contain more nutrients that contribute to overall better health.
Variety: there is a wide variety of such products to suit all tastes.

As with any product, the key to a healthy lifestyle lies in a sensible approach and balanced consumption. It is important to choose beverages that contain minimal amounts of added sugar and artificial additives. It should also be taken into account that non-alcoholic wine and beer contain a minimal dose of ethyl alcohol. Therefore, after drinking them, it is better to refrain from driving.