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There are few things nicer than unwinding after a stressful day with a cold beer. The challenge for many of us is that after one beer we go back for a second, and then a third. And that Friday night then becomes a Thursday night, and then a Wednesday night and then an every-night affair. And those alcoholic drinks may offer temporary relief from stress, but the long-term effect on your mental health might make you want to reconsider how much of it you're drinking.
So why not unwind with a non-alcoholic beer, which offers a genuine mood-boosting effect? Read more to find out how alcohol and anxiety are linked and how you can improve your mental and emotional well-being with non-alcoholic beer.
The Downside of Alcohol for Anxiety
We've all been there - feeling more relaxed and sociable after a drink or two. That's because alcohol works as a depressant and sedative, initially boosting your brain's "feel-good" chemical, serotonin. However, over time, alcohol can mess with serotonin production and balance, leading to lower levels and less sensitivity in serotonin receptors. This can result in mood disorders, higher anxiety, and depression as your brain struggles to adjust. Not so relaxing in the end, right?
The Benefits of Non-Alcoholic Beer on Mental Health
That's where non-alcoholic beer comes in. Without the negative effects of alcohol, NA beer provides both short-term and long-term health benefits that can reduce anxiety. Here's how:
Ritual of Relaxation:
Drinking a non-alcoholic beer can be a comforting ritual that signals the end of a stressful day, promoting relaxation and a sense of normalcy. The lack of addictive properties (Alcohol) allows you to relax into just a single beer, without grabbing 2 or 3 more calorie-laden drinks to chase a fleeting buzz.
Feel Included:
So while NA beer might not give you the artificial drop in inhibitions for your social outing, it will allow you to enjoy social activities without feeling like the awkward outsider. No more trying to blend in with seltzer water and lime.
Take advantage of the "Placebo Effect"
It's ok to trick your body sometimes... especially if its tricking it into a healthy choice. The taste and experience of drinking NA beer can trigger a placebo effect, making you feel more relaxed simply because you associate the beverage with unwinding and enjoyment. Studies have shown that the brain chemical for motivation - dopamine - increases just by drinking NA beer.
The Health Benefits of an NA Beer
Non-alcoholic beer contains various nutrients: vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which contribute to overall well-being and help reduce stress levels. Feel good about feeling good.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health. Non-alcoholic beer keeps your body hydrated, which is essential for reducing anxiety symptoms.
Reduce that "Hangxiety"
By choosing non-alcoholic beer, you avoid the negative effects of alcohol, such as hangovers, guilt, or the exacerbation of those anxiety symptoms we talked about earlier. Trust me, the feeling of being in control and knowing you are not going to have to apologize the next morning for your text messages is a game-change for mental wellbeing!
Feel In-Control
Opting for non-alcoholic beer can be a mindful choice, promoting self-control and awareness, which leads to reduced anxiety by fostering a sense of empowerment and responsibility over your actions.
"Hop" up your sleep quality:
Hops, a key ingredient in non-alcoholic beer, contain compounds like xanthohumol and myrcenol that have a sedative effect and can improve sleep by increasing an activity in the brain through gamma-aminobutric acid (GABA). This helps the brain relax. A study of nurses found that drinking non-alcoholic beer in the evening actually improved their sleep quality, helping them fall asleep faster and reducing their restlessness.
A stand-out study on non-alcoholic beer benefits to mood
A recent study investigated the effect of non-alcoholic beer containing matured hop bitter acids on mood states among healthy adults over 20 years old. The study found that consuming non-alcoholic beer with 35 mg of matured hop bitter acids for three weeks significantly improved mood states, including anxiety, depression, fatigue, and vigor. Additionally, sleep quality and work performance also saw significant improvements compared to the baseline. These findings suggest that incorporating non-alcoholic beer into daily life could be a beneficial choice for maintaining and improving mood states.