If you have a hard time falling asleep, you’ve likely tried chamomile tea, warm milk, and a wide range of other concoctions. But have you tried non-alcoholic beer? It may sound crazy, but studies have found a link between non-alcoholic beer and sleep!
What are Hops?
Hops are used in beer for their flavor and preservative capacities in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer. Researchers have found that hops appear to have a sedative effect on the body and, therefore, may help with sleep. The hops’ bitter acids and the compounds xanthohumol and myrcenol are likely responsible for this effect. Research suggests that hops’ main mechanism of action is to boost neurotransmitter aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity. When GABA levels increase in the brain, the brain’s neural activity decreases. This helps explain why non-alcoholic beer can help people not only fall asleep but stay asleep — non-alcoholic beer has the hop compounds that make us drowsy but not the alcohol that leads to restless nights of sleep.
Non-Alcoholic Beer’s Impact on Sleep
Researchers have been looking into non-alcoholic beer’s effect on sleep. One study of work-stressed nurses found that their sleep quality improved, the time it takes to fall asleep decreased, and restlessness during the night decreased as well.
A separate Acta Physiological Hungarica study of university students linked consuming non-alcoholic beer with hops to improved sleep quality.
For some extra sleepiness, you can combine non-alcoholic beer with valerian — this herb has a lot in common with hops in addition to a long history of use as a natural treatment for insomnia. One review reported that some scientific evidence suggested valerian can help improve sleep quality when taken on its own or with hops.
Trading in Traditional Beer for a Non-alcoholic Beer Option
Drinking alcohol too close to bedtime can lead to a disrupted sleep cycle in several ways. So, the next time you want to truly relax after a long day or week, reach for non-alcoholic beer instead. Craft non-alcoholic beer tastes delicious and will help ease your stress and have you on your way to Slumber Land in no time.
Looking for the best non-alcoholic craft beer to help lull you into a deep slumber? Try out Rightside’s beers! The secret of our crisp-tasting brew is in the technology. A majority of non-alcoholic beers use heat to remove the alcohol, which as a result distorts the taste of the product. Rightside has invested in your drinking experience – bringing you technology that only delivers authentic taste. Advanced filtration cycles water and alcohol through, leaving nothing but a true beer flavor and lasting impression.