Not All “Non-alcoholic” Beers Are as Harmless as They Seem.

A 2025 randomized trial by Kreimeyer et al., published in Nutrients, assigned 44 healthy young men to drink 660 mL/day of either non-alcoholic pilsner, mixed beer, wheat beer, or water over four weeks. The mixed and wheat varieties raised fasting glucose, insulin markers, and triglycerides, while pilsner performed similarly to water—reducing cholesterol and LDL, and lowering liver injury markers. Clearly, the sugar and carbs in some NABs can spike blood sugar and lipids, even over a short period.

This matters because many choose non-alcoholic beer to stay “healthy,” but certain types may unintentionally elevate metabolic risk. Even within the same category, some versions are far better for your metabolism than others.

Opt for low-sugar NABs like pilsner-style—with minimal carbs and added sugars—and treat them more like a sugary soda than a health tonic.