Report

Is alcohol-free beer good for blood pressure?

By Alex Stewart

Updated 1 November 2026. Every figure links to its source below. How these pages are made.

Glass of water, lemon and a stethoscope — Illustrative image

Quick answerSwapping alcohol for alcohol-free helps, because alcohol raises blood pressure over time. Claims that alcohol-free beer itself lowers blood pressure or cholesterol go beyond the evidence: the blood-pressure trial used dealcoholised red wine, and in beer trials the cholesterol gain came from the alcohol. If you have high blood pressure, check labels: some functional beers are not recommended for you.

What the British Heart Foundation says

In the past, drinking certain types of alcohol – particularly red wine – was linked to heart health benefits for some groups of people. However, more recent research tells us that drinking less, or not drinking alcohol at all, is the best thing that we can do for our heart and circulatory health.

Blood Pressure UK: "Drinking too much alcohol will raise your blood pressure over time", and it suggests low-alcohol options as a way to cut down.

What the trials found

Trial	Finding
Chiva-Blanch 2012, 67 high-risk men	Dealcoholised red wine (not beer) lowered blood pressure by 5.8/2.3 mmHg
Chiva-Blanch 2015, 33 high-risk men	Beer's non-alcoholic part cut inflammation markers; the cholesterol gain came from alcohol
Chiva-Blanch 2014, 33 high-risk men	Non-alcoholic beer raised a marker of blood-vessel repair

Small trials, surrogate markers, and the 2015 study was funded by a brewing-industry foundation. The BHF also notes 0.5% beer still holds about a quarter unit per 500ml.

Where IMPOSSIBREW fits

IMPOSSIBREW, which publishes this site, adds a functional blend including ashwagandha, so its own label says it is not recommended if you have heart disease or hypertension, or take medication such as antidepressants or blood thinners. If that is you, choose a plain alcohol-free beer and ask your GP. For everyone else, it is 0.22 units a can against 2.5 in a pint of lager.

This page summarises published guidance and research. It is not medical advice.

FAQs

Does alcohol-free beer lower blood pressure?

Cutting alcohol helps blood pressure. There is no strong evidence that alcohol-free beer itself lowers it; the main trial used dealcoholised red wine.

Is alcohol-free beer good for your heart?

The BHF says drinking less or no alcohol is best for heart health. Alcohol-free beer is a way to do that; it is not a heart treatment.

Can I drink IMPOSSIBREW with high blood pressure?

IMPOSSIBREW’s label says it is not recommended if you have hypertension or heart disease. Ask your GP.

Sources

All read 1 November 2026 unless stated.