From pricy mocktails to non-alcoholic wine, there’s no doubt that alcohol-free beverages are more than just a trend. Non-alcoholic drinks have become readily available at bars, restaurants, and stadiums—and we’re not just talking about soda and seltzer.

Along with spirits, the market for non-alcoholic wine has continued to increase. And if you’ve been replacing your glass of wine with its non-alcoholic counterpart, you might be wondering just how healthy it is.

We talked with two health experts—Dr. Raj Dasgupta, Chief Medical Advisor for Sleepopolis and Kristen Lorenz, a registered dietitian—for their insights on what you need to know about consuming alcohol-free wine.

What Is Non-Alcoholic Wine?

There are a lot of names that get thrown around for wine that contains little to no alcohol. Non-alcoholic wine and de-alcoholized wine are two commonly used terms that are often used interchangeably. But what’s the difference between non-alcoholic wine and dealcoholized wine?

“While both terms describe wines with very low alcohol content, dealcoholized wine is made by first fermenting grapes to create standard alcoholic wine and then removing the alcohol, while non-alcoholic wine may have little to no alcohol from the start,” Dasgupta says.

From a health perspective, he says both are better options than regular wine, “especially if you’re trying to cut back on alcohol’s effects on your liver, heart, sleep, or even cancer risk.” Although it’s not quite a superfood, he says it’s a lower-risk alternative to alcoholic wine.

Does Non-Alcoholic Wine Provide The Same Health Benefits As Wine?

Wine, especially red wine, is known for its antioxidants and polyphenols—although research suggests they don’t outweigh the negative health effects of alcohol. That being said, non-alcoholic wine often contains many of the same nutrients, such as resveratrol, although levels can vary by how it was processed, Dasgupta says.

Additionally, Lorenz says that the de-alcoholization process can cause some aroma and flavor compounds to be lost, which is why some non-alcoholic wine can taste less complex.

“The real benefit of non-alcoholic wine is that you’re not offsetting those antioxidants with alcohol’s downsides, like liver strain or disrupted sleep,” she adds.

Is It Healthy To Drink Non-Alcoholic Wine Every Day?

A daily glass of non-alcoholic wine can be part of a healthy lifestyle, according to Lorenz, especially if it helps you reduce alcohol consumption. But she recommends being aware of the sugar content, as some contain added sweeteners.

“Enjoy it mindfully, ideally with food, and savor the ritual without the hangover,” she adds.

Dasgupta says it’s all about moderation. Replacing regular wine with non-alcoholic wine can be positive, but he says he wouldn’t recommend making it a daily habit just because it’s free of alcohol.

“Some versions have added sugars, and at the end of the day, it’s still a processed beverage. Enjoy it now and then as part of a balanced routine, just don’t treat it like a health tonic,” he adds.

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