Nonalcoholic beverages that may still offer a bit of a “buzz” are popping up in stores and on menus all over the Southeast. Wine bars serve nonalcoholic sauvignon blancs and sparkling whites, bars mix up spirit-free cocktails, breweries ferment nonalcoholic beer – and so many of these options are now found in-store and online.
It’s good timing, because according to the World Health Organization, no amount of alcohol is healthy. While plenty of doctors say a drink now and then is fine for most individuals, it does carry risks. And earlier reports that drinking wine is good for the heart have since been dismissed.
“Alcohol is considered a
“Drinking any amount of alcohol increases cancer risk over time across all types of cancer. Alcohol also affects your liver directly. When you drink alcohol, your body has to process that alcohol, and it can’t perform any other function while it does. It also reduces metabolic rate because the body is trying to get rid of it – your body sees it as a toxin.”
The ever-expanding nonalcoholic product lineup is a fun alternative for those who are trying to reduce or eliminate alcohol intake.
That lineup includes a list of beverages that contain adaptogens or hemp-based CBD and THC, many of which advertise that buzzy, calming effect that alcohol offers – without the alcohol.
So what should you keep in mind when revising your alcohol intake? Do those infused drinks actually work, and are they good for you? Spatola weighs in.
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Q: Do you recommend giving up alcohol completely for better health?
A: If my patients are drinking, I give them ways to help them drink less. I’m realistic about that. There are ways to extend beverages, and it’s important to make sure to drink water in between alcoholic drinks. I say, try to have alcohol-free days because alcohol will affect the body – metabolism, organs – while your system processes it for 24 to 36 hours. So if you drink every night, it lingers in your system. Give your body a break.
Q: Is it psychologically healthy to replace one drinking habit with another – like swapping a daily drink of alcohol for a daily nonalcoholic drink?
A: It depends on how someone is treating the behavior. If someone is drinking every night and it’s more about the ritual than the alcohol itself, the sitting-down-with-the-drink is the gateway to starting relaxation, then you can still do this. Keep the ritual but factor in some alternatives like sparkling seltzer water or kombucha, which can look like rosé, in a wine glass. The visual perception of fancy glassware can make the difference, make it fun.
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Q: Are sparkling waters infused with adaptogens like lemon balm, magnesium, L-Theanine and lion’s mane mushroom actually healthy?
A: The lemon balm, magnesium and L-theanine can contribute to relaxation a little bit, but it’s hard to know what dosage is in there. It won’t hurt you, by any means. And the lion’s mane can promote cognitive health and immune health. I didn’t have high hopes when I drank an adaptogen-infused beverage by the pool recently, but over the course of an hour, I felt like I drank a glass of wine – I felt a nice, calm buzz. I would also call this hydrating, based on the ingredients.
Q: Are sparkling waters infused with CBD and THC considered healthy?
A: With THC and CBD, there are so many factors, from dosage to substance type, that it’s hard to say in general. But interestingly, in a medical setting, THC can be helpful as an appetite stimulant for cancer patients who need to take in more nutrients and boost their energy. It can help them with pain management, inflammation and nausea reduction.
Q: What alternative beverage would you recommend for someone who is taking a break from alcohol and just wants to hydrate with something tasty?
A: Since I work with cardiac rehab patients, I like to share ways to get more electrolytes without reaching for store-bought electrolyte beverages that can be high in sodium – that isn’t advised for heart patients.
My favorite homemade electrolyte beverage is coconut water with a splash of orange juice, so you get nutrients like potassium, calcium, manganese and Vitamin C.
