Low-alcohol drinks and alcohol-free drinks have become more commonplace in recent years. Some people who plan to cut back on their drinking might wonder if these are good alternatives to regular drinks. That’s why we’ve put together some key things to know about these drinks so you can see if they’re the right choice for you.
Low-Alcohol Drinks: The Right Choice?
Low-alcohol vs. alcohol-free
How do low-alcohol drinks compare to their alcohol-free counterparts? Low-alcohol drinks have most of their alcohol removed through osmosis. However, many of them still have around .5%-3% alcohol. Alcohol-free drinks, on the other hand, have no alcohol whatsoever.
It’s important to consider taste when trying to decide which one to stick with. Disliking the taste of one of these drinks may make you more likely to go back to drinking full strength drinks. It’s better to chose a low-alcohol version you like than an alcohol-free version you hate.
Low-alcohol drinks and driving
These drinks are a good choice for those who wish to drink but also plan on driving afterwards. Having a few of these drinks is much more safer than having one or two normal drinks and stopping. These drinks also don’t dehydrate you as much as regular drinks.
Of course, you need to still drink responsibly when having low-alcohol drinks. At .05 BAC, your driving becomes impaired. The legal limit in many places is .08. Always be aware of how much you’ve had to drink if you plan to drive.
Placebo and expectancy
Placebo effects can occur when one drinks a low-alcohol or alcohol-free drink. One can still experience the effects of being intoxicated without a lot of alcohol in their bloodstream. These could mean experiencing lower inhibitions or reaction times despite drinking a low-alcohol drink.
Expectancy refers to how one reacts when drinking these types of drinks. Due to the taste and appearance of these alternative drinks, your body might think you’re drinking full strength drinks. This means you may even behaveas if you were as well. Always take a moment to reflect when drinking these alternative to assess how they’re affecting you.
