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Non Alcoholic Wine Will Help You Sleep Better Tonight

woman drinking ONES non alcoholic sparkling wine in bed.

Low-Sugar Non-Alcoholic Wine, NON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS & KETO/LOW-CARB

The benefits of non-alcoholic wine consumed before sleep are significant. To fully grasp these advantages, it’s crucial to understand how traditional wine and other alcoholic beverages impact sleep.As a columnist, author, and speaker in the wine and food industry for over three decades, I never encountered information about alcohol’s negative effects on sleep. This illustrates how being entrenched in a particular mindset can obscure important truths.Now, after nearly four years of sobriety, I’m confronted with the stark reality of alcohol’s harmful effects. To appreciate the benefits of non-alcoholic wine on sleep, we must first examine the detrimental impact of traditional alcohol consumption on our rest.

Table of Contents

How Does Alcohol Impact Your Sleep?

I recently watched a Dr. Andrew Huberman video with sleep doctor, Matthew Walker. They engaged in a particularly impactful and enlightening discussion on sleep science. Their dialogue, which spans multiple episodes, offers a comprehensive exploration of sleep’s critical role in human health, cognition, and performance.

The exchange between these two renowned experts in neuroscience and sleep research provides an unparalleled depth of knowledge. Dr. Walker, drawing from his extensive research and expertise as the author of “Why We Sleep,” offers insights that go beyond typical sleep advice.

Their discussion covers a wide range of topics, including:

The biology of sleep and its various stages
The effects of factors like sunlight, caffeine, alcohol, and exercise on sleep quality
Strategies for improving sleep and coping with sleep-related issues
The connection between sleep and emotional regulation
The science of dreams, nightmares, and lucid dreaming

A little about Dr. Matthew Walker. He is a renowned sleep scientist and professor of neuroscience and psychology at UC Berkeley, where he also directs the Center for Human Sleep Science. His extensive research focuses on sleep’s impact on human health and disease, earning him recognition from major funding bodies and media outlets. Walker’s expertise is showcased in his bestselling book “Why We Sleep” and his podcast, making him a leading authority in sleep science. His academic background, research contributions, and public outreach efforts have established him as a go-to expert for understanding the crucial role of sleep in human well-being.

What Is Dr. Matthew Walker’s Scientific Perspective About Alcohol and Sleep?

According to Dr. Matthew Walker, alcohol significantly impairs sleep quality despite its sedative effects. While it may help you fall asleep faster, alcohol disrupts natural sleep cycles, leading to fragmented and less restorative sleep. It triggers more frequent awakenings throughout the night and notably reduces crucial REM sleep, which is essential for emotional regulation, learning, and memory consolidation. Alcohol consumption also interferes with hormonal balance, particularly reducing growth hormone release during sleep by over 50%. Even a single glass of wine can measurably affect sleep quality. Dr. Walker stresses that understanding these effects is crucial for making informed decisions about alcohol consumption, especially for those prioritizing sleep health.

Does Non Alcoholic Wine Affect Sleep Quality?

non alcoholic wine for restorative sleep

Unlike its alcoholic counterpart, non-alcoholic wine does not disrupt your sleep. In fact, the opposite is true.

The Benefits of Non-Alcoholic Wine for Sleep:

Non alcoholic wine can have a positive effect on sleep quality compared to alcoholic wine. Here are the key benefits:

Improved Sleep Quality:

Non-alcoholic wine allows you to enjoy the taste of wine without the negative effects of alcohol on sleep.

Better REM Sleep:

Alcohol disrupts REM sleep, which is crucial for memory consolidation and emotional processing. Non-alcoholic wine does not interfere with REM sleep patterns.

Deeper Restorative Sleep:

Without alcohol, you can achieve deeper and more restorative sleep throughout the night.

Reduced Insomnia and Disrupted Sleep:

Alcohol can lead to insomnia and frequent night wakings. Non-alcoholic wine avoids these issues.

Decreased Sleep Latency:

One study found that non-alcoholic beer (which contains similar sleep-promoting compounds as wine) decreased the time it took participants to fall asleep.

Entitled “Effect of non-alcoholic beer on Subjective Sleep Quality” in a university stressed population,” This research was conducted to examine how non-alcoholic beer consumption affects sleep quality.

Key findings from this study include:

Subjective Sleep Quality improved for students who drank one non-alcoholic beer during dinner compared to the control group.
Sleep Latency (the time it takes to fall asleep) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) for those who consumed non-alcoholic beer.
The overall Global Score of Quality of Sleep also improved significantly (p < 0.05) for the non-alcoholic beer group.

The study was conducted over a 3-week period with 30 university students. During the first week (control period), no intervention was made. For the following two weeks, participants were asked to drink non-alcoholic beer with dinner.These results suggest that non alcoholic beer (and with NA wine having similar compounds), which contains hops (a plant with sedative effects), can help improve sleep quality when consumed with the evening meal. The improvement in sleep latency aligns with your statement about participants falling asleep faster.

No Hangover Effects:

Unlike traditional wine, non alcoholic wine does not lead to hangover symptoms that can impact sleep and energy levels the next day.

Sleep-Promoting Compounds in Non Alcoholic Wine:

Some non-alcoholic wines may contain compounds like Melatonin. Wine grapes naturally contain small amounts of melatonin, which regulates sleep cycles.

Factors Affecting Melatonin Content:

The melatonin levels in grapes can be influenced by various factors:

Grape variety
Growing conditions
Treatment of vines (e.g., using plant vaccines like Benzothiadiazole can enhance melatonin synthesis)

Potential Effects:

While the presence of melatonin in wine grapes is established, its effects when consumed through wine are still being studied:

Melatonin is known to regulate sleep-wake patterns and act as an antioxidant.
The melatonin content in wine could potentially help regulate circadian rhythms, similar to the melatonin produced by the human body.
However, the alcohol in wine may counteract some of these potential benefits.

It’s important to note that while grapes contain melatonin, more research is needed to fully understand its presence and effects in wine after fermentation

Can I Drink Non Alcoholic Wine Before Bed?

While non-alcoholic wine can be a suitable alternative to alcoholic wine, there are still some considerations to keep in mind when consuming it before bed.

Here are some key points to consider:

Residual Alcohol Content:

Most non-alcoholic wines contain a very small amount of alcohol (usually 0.5% or less), which is unlikely to significantly affect sleep for most people.

Negligible Impact on Sleep Architecture:

Non-alcoholic wine doesn’t disrupt sleep architecture or circadian rhythms in the same way alcoholic wine does.

Relaxation Before Bed:

It may help with relaxation before bed without the negative sleep impacts of alcohol. A Spanish study found that non-alcoholic red wine can lower blood pressure in men. Reduced blood pressure is associated with a calmer physical state conducive to sleep. I’m sure this is also effective for women, although that’s my opinion.

Resveratrol:

Non-alcoholic red wine contains polyphenols like resveratrol, which may have health benefits.s a powerful antioxidant, resveratrol helps protect brain cells and reduce inflammation. This neuroprotective effect may support overall brain health and function, potentially benefiting sleep quality.

Hydration:

Unlike alcoholic wine, non-alc wine doesn’t act as a diuretic, so it’s less likely to cause dehydration-related sleep disruptions.

Individual Sensitivity:

Some people may still experience a slight increase in heart rate or other minor effects, even from the trace amounts of alcohol. So, be sure to consult your doctor before taking on this new practice.

Recommendations:

If you choose to drink non-alcoholic wine before bed:
Opt for varieties with zero sugar content.
Consume it at least a few hours before bedtime to allow for digestion.
Pay attention to how it affects your individual sleep quality and adjust accordingly.

Why Are Low or Zero Sugar Non Alcoholic Wines Better For Sleep?

Some non alcoholic wines contain added sugars, which could potentially affect sleep if consumed close to bedtime. Therefore choose low sugar or sugar-free non alcoholic wines to support sleep. Remember alcohol is sugar alcohol (like that found in traditional wine) and when consumed before bed can disrupt sleep in several ways. For example, as the night progresses and alcohol is metabolized, there’s often an increase in lighter stages of sleep, particularly N1 sleep. This can lead to more frequent awakenings and less restful sleep overall.

When selecting a non-alcoholic wine for better sleep, consider the following:

Zero Sugar Choices
Look for brands that explicitly state zero sugar content on their labels
Read the nutritional label on the back of the bottle to confirm the produce has zero or low sugar.
Opt for dry varieties, which generally tend to have less residual sugar.
Avoid NA wines labelled as off-dry. This means they contain sugar.
Avoid NA sparkling wines that are labelled as “Sec.” This means the product contains sugr.
Avoid dessert wines

What Non Alcoholic Wines Possess Zero Sugar?

ONES is one of my favorite non alcoholic wine companies. ONES non-alcoholic sparkling wines are crafted from 100% BC grapes sourced from the Okanagan Valley, offering a delightful alternative for those seeking the taste of wine without the effects of alcohol. These wines are notable for their health-conscious profile, containing zero grams of sugar, zero grams of carbohydrates, and only 18 calories per glass, making them vegan and keto-friendly. The flavor profile includes notes of just-ripe blackberry and pomegranate, complemented by a medium tannin structure and bright acidity. ONES aims to fill a market gap for non-drinkers, providing a refreshing beverage that retains the essence of traditional wine while being free from chemicals and added sugars

Here’s the link:

(10% discount on ALL Ones Sparkling Wines)

Are There Any Sleep Benefits To Drinking Non Alcoholic Wine?

Non alcoholic wine can indeed offer some sleep benefits compared to alcoholic wine.

Here’s how it can positively impact your sleep:

No Sleep Disruptions:

Alcoholic wine can exacerbate snoring and sleep apnea symptoms by relaxing throat muscles and increasing airway resistance. Zero-alcohol wine doesn’t cause these physiological changes, potentially leading to fewer breathing disturbances during sleep.

Better Sleep Duration:

You’re more likely to wake up feeling refreshed after drinking alcohol-free wine. Without alcohol interfering with your sleep cycles, you can experience more consistent and restorative sleep throughout the night.

Avoidance of Rebound Effect:

Alcohol-free wine avoids the rebound effect that occurs with alcoholic wine, where sleep becomes more fragmented in the second half of the night as the body metabolizes the alcohol.

No Increased Nighttime Awakenings:

It does not lead to increased nighttime awakenings or trips to the bathroom that are common with alcoholic wine.

No Exacerbation of Sleep Apnea:

Non-alc wine does not exacerbate snoring or sleep apnea symptoms, which alcoholic wine can worsen.

Better Next-Day Function:

Choosing alcohol-free wine results in feeling more refreshed the next day:

Improved Daytime Alertness:

It allows for normal, restorative sleep cycles, leading to better daytime alertness and cognitive function.

Maintain Sleep Hygiene:

Zero-alcohol wine supports good sleep hygiene practices:

Part of a Relaxing Routine:

It can be part of a relaxing bedtime routine without the negative impacts of alcohol.

No Disruption of Circadian Rhythms:

NA wine avoids disrupting the body’s natural circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles.

In summary, non-alcoholic wine provides a sleep-friendly alternative that allows you to enjoy a wine-like beverage in the evening without compromising sleep quality or next-day functioning. For those looking to improve their sleep, switching from alcoholic to non-alcoholic wine can be a beneficial change.