If you are choosing between an alcoholic wine or beer and a non-alcoholic one on the basis of health, the alcohol-free version wins hands down. Here is why:

1. You avoid the damage of alcohol

Any drink which does not contain alcohol will logically, allow you to avoid all the many health issues caused by alcohol.

These include but are not limited to: headaches and hangovers, higher levels of anxiety and depression, weight gain, sleep loss, liver disease, higher blood pressure, heart disease and several forms of cancer.

Remember, alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, which causes long-term damage to your body.

2. You get even more antioxidants

Many people say they drink wine for the health benefits of the antioxidants, particularly polyphenols such as resveratrol.

Polyphenols are a plant chemical linked with lowered blood pressure, improved response to insulin, and reduced oxidative stress. All these effects could help decrease the risk of heart disease.

Alcohol-free wines have the same polyphenols as regular wine – sometimes even more.

Plus, the removal of alcohol gives the antioxidants a chance to work on your immune system.

3. You will consume fewer calories

The alcohol-free versions of most alcoholic drinks are, by and large, lower in calories. For wines, beers and spirits, the zero version contains around a third to half the calories.

However, you need tp keep in mind three things:

A. What you mix it with. If you are drinking alcohol-free spirits and you are mixing it with a lemonade, cola or tonic, you are still consuming a lot of sugar.

B. What else if added. Just because it is non-alcoholic does not mean it is low in sugar or additives. Always read the ingredients.

C. How much you have. It is easy to knock back more alcohol-free drinks than you would an alcoholic drink.