What’s the difference between low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks? (2024)

FAQs

What’s the difference between low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks? ›

The differences between alcohol-free, non-alcoholic and low alcohol include the percentage of alcohol by volume, the labelling process and whether the alcohol has been extracted. There are also differences in the ABV limits and labels across countries.

Alcohol-free: no more than 0.05%ABV. De-alcoholised: no more than 0.5% ABV. Low alcohol: no more than 1.2% ABV.

Alcoholic beverages are known for their sensory pleasure and can evoke emotions such as relaxation and mood enhancement . In contrast, non-alcoholic beverages are often consumed for hydration and can provide essential nutrients like amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals .

"Alcohol-Removed" or "Dealcoholized"

These labels likely refer to 0.5% ABV beverages (or "non-alcoholic" beverages) as the label infers that the drink contained alcohol at one point and it was removed by one method or another.

Many, although not all, producers follow government guidance that says alcohol-free drinks may contain up to 0.05% ABV. (Sometimes these types of drinks might be described as 'zero alcohol', or '0.0' too).

Low alcohol drinks are beverages that contain between 0.5% and 1.2% ABV (this does not include products that are 0.5% ABV exactly, or below 0.5%, which are considered zero/no alcohol).

Defining NoLo drinks

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recommend producers use these descriptors: Low-alcohol – No more than 1.2% ABV. Non-alcoholic – not to be used for products with a name commonly associated with an alcoholic drink, like 'beer' or 'gin'. (Except for communion or sacramental wine).

It's also important to remember that alcohol-free drinks are often high in sugar – so they aren't automatically a 'healthy' or low-calorie choice.

The bottom line is that if you are an alcoholic, in recovery or not, non-alcoholic adult beverages are potentially unsafe. They still contain alcohol and, while they cannot get you intoxicated, they do have the potential to trigger a relapse. If you have alcoholism, it's just not worth the risk.

Is it OK to drink non-alcoholic? ›

Mocktails and non-alcoholic beer and wine could provide a healthier alternative to drinking, but for some, these alcohol-adjacent drinks might be too potent a reminder of the real thing. Stanford Medicine clinical scholar Molly Bowdring, PhD, studies addiction and treats patients with alcohol use disorders.

“We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use. It doesn't matter how much you drink – the risk to the drinker's health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage.

Drinks without alcohol will never taste exactly the same as drinks with it. However, some can get very close.

Budweiser Zero is an alcohol-free brew with only 50 calories and zero grams of sugar and is made for those who want to cut back on alcohol without missing out on the full flavor and refreshment of Budweiser.

Heineken 0.0 contains less than 0,03% alcohol so as such it is a non-alcohol beer. This amount has no impact on the body and is fully fine in view of driving and pregnancy or alc-intolerant medical treatment.

0.5% ABV is legally considered non-alcoholic because our body metabolises that amount of alcohol faster than we can feel any effect.

Definition of 'alcohol-free'

1. (of beer or wine) containing only a trace of alcohol. Compare low-alcohol. 2. (of a period of time) during which no alcoholic drink is consumed.

0.5% ABV is legally considered non-alcoholic because our body metabolises that amount of alcohol faster than we can feel any effect.

Using low or no-alcohol drink options to either avoid alcohol or to stay within the recommended intake of 14 units of alcohol a week (equivalent to six pints of 4% beer) could mean lowering the risk of stroke, heart disease, liver disease, sleep disorders, mental health issues and a number of cancers.

Benefits of taking a break or cutting down

lower blood pressure. fewer alcohol-related symptoms, like headaches, heartburn, indigestion and stomach upsets. less fatty build-up around the liver. improving existing conditions - depression, high blood pressure or skin conditions such as rosacea.