To find out more about the nutritional benefits of alcohol-free drinks, and in particular alcohol-free wine, the Vintense team met Damien Pauquet, dietician and sports nutritionist. We took the opportunity to ask him a few questions about our products.

Our questions to Damien Pauquet

What are the dangers of alcoholic drinks for consumers?

Alcohol is a toxic molecule for our vital organs, particularly the liver, kidneys, brain and heart. It is both acidifying and pro-inflammatory. Consumed regularly and in excessive quantities, alcohol-containing drinks can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

What are the benefits of non-alcoholic wine, both in terms of nutritional intake and pleasure?

Alcohol-free wine is considered to be a healthy beverage, as it contains many of the benefits of grape juice. Grapes are rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements, and have significant antioxidant potential. In particular, it contains anthocyanins, which improve energy, immunity and skin health, protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer, and reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Non-alcoholic wine is an interesting alternative to traditional alcoholic drinks, offering a good compromise between pleasure and health. Although water is still the healthiest drink for the body, alcohol-free wine allows you to vary the pleasures of the evening and enjoy a drink that is pleasant to the taste. It can be consumed by a wider section of the population, including pregnant women, vulnerable people and the elderly, as well as those taking medication. What’s more, alcohol-free wine can be consumed before driving, making it a safe alternative to alcoholic drinks.

What are the characteristics of alcohol-free wine in terms of calories and carbohydrates?

Non-alcoholic wine has the advantage of being lighter on the body than traditional wine, being on average 70% lower in calories (30% for Vintense Mocktails). A 750 ml bottle of alcohol-free wine contains 175 kcal, compared with 580 kcal for traditional wine. So it’s not a zero-calorie wine, and it’s important to watch your consumption to avoid putting on weight.

Alcohol-free wine also contains slightly more carbohydrates than traditional wine (5 grams per 100 ml, compared with 3 grams), mainly in the form of fructose, which has a lower glycaemic index than glucose. As one of the sweetest fruits, grapes are responsible for this high sugar content. However, if the grape is harvested when ripe, glucose and fructose are present in similar quantities, whereas an over-ripe grape will have a higher fructose content.

Does non-alcoholic wine contain substances that could be harmful to the body?

Alcohol-free wine may contain additives to improve its conservation, taste or colour. Sulphites, present in some alcohol-free wines, can cause digestive problems if consumed in excess. However, the presence of additives does not represent any real danger to human health. It is clear that excessive consumption of alcohol-free wine can lead to weight gain and aggravate blood sugar disorders, such as diabetes. Alcohol-free wine can also encourage tooth decay.

Is drinking non-alcoholic wine dangerous for people suffering from illnesses such as diabetes?

People with pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes should be cautious about drinking alcohol-free wine because of its sugar content, which can cause hyperglycaemia (even though it is three times less sweet than a soft drink). It is advisable to limit the consumption of alcohol-free wine, and to drink it preferably with a meal or snack containing fatty foods (fruit, cheese), protein foods (eggs, meat, fish) or fibrous foods (vegetables, bread, cereals) in order to reduce the glycaemic index and reduce insulin production. However, the consumption of non-alcoholic wine is not prohibited for people on medication or suffering from other chronic illnesses, except in cases of pancreatic or kidney cancer.

Can pregnant and breast-feeding women drink non-alcoholic wine?

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, there are no particular contraindications, apart from the need to be wary of the possible presence of sulphites in alcohol-free wine, especially if the new-born baby suffers from severe reflux. In the case of gestational diabetes or excessive weight gain in pregnant women, consumption of alcohol-free wine should be limited but not necessarily eliminated.

How can alcohol-free wine fit into a balanced, healthy diet?

I’d be tempted to say 10 glasses a week for 3 reasons. Firstly, so as not to overdo the weekly consumption of total sugars and limit weight gain. Secondly, in my opinion, water should remain the number 1 and only essential drink. And lastly, to come into line with WHO standards on alcohol consumption. The difference is that you could just as easily drink alcohol-free wine a little every day, unlike the importance of going at least two days without drinking any alcohol at all if you drink alcoholic wine.

Here are my 5 recommendations for staying healthy while drinking alcohol-free wine:

1. Limit yourself to between 4 and 10 glasses a week.
2. Choose alcohol-free wine in the evening rather than during the day, for example as an aperitif or with a meal.
3. Drink one or two glasses of water between each glass of alcohol-free wine.
4. Get at least 3 hours of physical activity a week.
5. Limit your intake of starchy foods and sweets if you drink alcohol-free wine, to reduce your total carbohydrate intake and thus prevent weight gain.

Would you recommend Vintense as a quality alternative to alcoholic drinks?

Yes, absolutely! Vintense offers a range of quality products that are complete, healthy, natural and rich in micro-nutrients. Its non-alcoholic wines allow you to enjoy yourself while taking care of your health and, to a lesser extent, your figure. Personally, as a nutritionist, I particularly recommend the Vintense range of still and sparkling wines (both white and red). But Vintense mocktails, which are on average 30% lower in calories than commercially available soft drinks or fruit juices, will allow you to enjoy a delicious non-alcoholic cocktail and have a good time without feeling guilty about it!