Claims are circulating on the internet that two or three bottles of non-alcoholic beer cause a sharp increase in insulin levels, damage the pancreas, and lead to diabetes with regular consumption. However, scientific research shows that the situation is more complex.
Modern.az reports that a study on this topic was published in the scientific journal "Nutrients". According to the results, it was found that non-alcoholic beer indeed contains carbohydrates, and its effect on blood sugar levels depends on the composition of the specific product.
In a study involving healthy volunteers, the glycemic index of regular non-alcoholic beer was 80. However, researchers did not observe a significant increase in insulin levels after meals compared to a glucose solution.
Other studies also show that the composition of the drink plays an important role. One study found that different types of non-alcoholic beers had different effects on glucose and insulin indicators. Drinks with modified carbohydrate content produced a weaker metabolic response compared to regular non-alcoholic beer.
Information has also been disseminated through scientific research that some types of non-alcoholic beer may have negative effects. In a study conducted in 2025 involving 44 healthy young men, daily consumption of 660 ml of the drink for four weeks led to an increase in some metabolic indicators in participants who drank non-alcoholic beer with wheat or mixed composition. However, the effect depended on the type of specific drink, and the study did not prove the development of diabetes.
In addition, another study conducted among patients with type 2 diabetes and overweight found that consumption of specially formulated non-alcoholic beer for 10 weeks was associated with a decrease in insulin levels and the HOMA-IR index, an indicator of insulin resistance.
Scientists from the University of California San Diego campus, Knappschaft Kliniken in Germany, and the University of the Basque Country in Spain participated in the study.
Thus, the claim that non-alcoholic beer "causes diabetes" is an overgeneralization. When used regularly, it is important to consider the amount of carbohydrates and calories in the specific drink. This is especially important for people with prediabetes or diabetes.
Currently, there is no convincing scientific evidence to suggest that consuming two or three bottles of non-alcoholic beer damages the pancreas or directly causes diabetes. However, regular consumption of sugary and caloric drinks can generally lead to weight gain and worsening metabolic health.
