Health Benefits of Spirit-Free Drinks

Whether you're the designated driver, or just hate the taste of alcohol, these non-alcoholic and spirit-free beverages are sure to make your tastebuds happy! With delicious flavours and functional health benefits, we've round up a list of the best drinks!

Sometimes we’re put in a situation where an alcoholic beverage may be out of the question. Maybe you’re the designated driver for the night, maybe you decide not to drink for personal or health related reasons, or maybe you just downright don’t like the taste of alcohol. 

For whatever reason it may be, going alcohol-free doesn’t mean you have to miss out or give up on your favourite exciting drinks! 

Healthy non-alcoholic drinks, also known as spirit-free drinks, are a great alternative and are becoming more and more popular in social settings for a variety of reasons. For example, non-alcoholic beers have the same classic beer taste, yet they hold many health benefits that alcoholic beer does not.

So what is a spirit-free drink and why are they so popular?

Spirit-free drinks are any variety of fun and refreshing non-alcoholic drinks made of various distinct ingredients.

“Spirit free” is a way of implying that going sober is a positive choice instead of a sacrifice or a compromise.

Going sober doesn’t have to be a bummer! In fact, instead of a sugary “mocktail” or an underwhelming soda water, you can have a tasty and exciting beverage that is functional and beneficial for your health. Not to mention, you can drink one whenever you feel like it! 

A focus on wellness is actually a large reason for the rise in popularity of non-alcoholic beverages.

The benefits of choosing spirit free drinks

A hangover isn’t the only thing you’ll be avoiding when choosing to go booze-free. 

Cutting out alcohol could be a great way to improve many different things like your skin, sleeping patterns, eating habits, mental health, and focus. They’re known to help better your cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, improve metabolism, and can reduce general anxiety and stress.

Although alcohol may be known to boost confidence and relieve nerves initially, it’s actually a central nervous system depressant, meaning the chemical changes alcohol causes to our brain can disrupt our mental balance and can affect our thoughts, feelings and mental health in general. 

For the same reason, having a drink may initially induce feelings of relaxation and sleepiness, but excessive consumption of alcohol has been linked to a decrease in sleep duration and quality. To put it plainly, the more you drink, the less Z’s you get. 

Additionally, drinking alcohol can cause different skin irritations like flushing, dry skin, dark circles, and more. Alcohol consumption over a longer period of time can lead to or worsen a variety of skin conditions.

By choosing spirit-free drinks, you’ll also be curving an enormous amount of calories. If you’re a calorie-conscious person, you may already know avoiding alcohol can be a great way to cut down on calorie consumption and to help with weight loss. 

3 Types of Spirit Free Drinks

So, you’ve decided you’re going alcohol-free. 

But what type of spirit-free drink benefits you the most? 

“Spirit-free drink” could imply a variety of different beverages, as it’s a broad term. Let’s dive into a few healthy and delicious options. 

Non-alcoholic beers

Calling all beer lovers! Going alcohol-free no longer means giving up beer. No more settling for a soft drink. Non-alcoholic beers are on the rise and it’s becoming a lot easier to find a great-tasting alcohol-free beer to satisfy your cravings. 

Chock-full of vitamins and minerals including potassium, iron, folic acid, and zinc, non-alcoholic beers are a great way to cut out alcohol while still enjoying the same taste as your favourite beer and not missing out. It looks, smells, and tastes exactly like beer! 

Many pubs, breweries and brands are noticing and participating in this shift to alcohol-free beer, and there are now plenty of options for people looking to make the swap. 

Whether you’re an ale or an IPA fan, or you prefer a stout or a lager- there's a non alcoholic beer for you.

You might enjoy the Athletic Brewing Company if you believe that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice beer to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Each can of craft “beer” is made with all-natural and pure ingredients that are brewed in small batches in their fully dedicated non-alcoholic brewery that is the first of its kind in the US. 

Probiotic and Prebiotic Sodas

If you aren’t into beer and you prefer a more bubbly and fruity drink instead, a probiotic or prebiotic soda might be for you. 

These are a great gut-healthy alternative for those who enjoy an alcoholic seltzer or a cheeky mixed drink like a rum and coke or a vodka soda. 

Both probiotics and prebiotics have their own roles that contribute to bettering your gut health. 

Probiotics are living strains of bacteria that increase the population of good bacteria in the digestive system and prebiotics are specialized plant fibres that act as food for that good bacteria. This creates growth among the already existing good bacteria.

In more simple terms, increasing your intake of both probiotic and prebiotic foods is vital for boosting your gut health and having a happy tummy!

That being said, swapping out alcohol for a delicious prebiotic soda like Poppi Sodas, which use apple cider vinegar and real fruit juices, can boost your immune system, reduce bloating, help clear your complexion, and leave not only your taste buds but your belly feeling happy and healthy. 

The world is your maraschino cherry!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re ready to kick back at the cottage this summer with some non-alcoholic beers or you’re planning on hosting a DIY alcohol-free cocktail party, you’re taking a big leap in the right direction on your wellness journey by choosing spirit-free drinks! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying some alcoholic beverages now and again, but remember you don’t have to sacrifice having a good time or a delicious drink to go alcohol free, and your mind and body might thank you for it later!