The Rise in Popularity of Sugar Free Seltzers
Sugar free seltzers have exploded in popularity over the past few years. Also known as hard seltzers or spiked seltzers, these canned beverages contain carbonated water, alcohol, and natural flavors. They have emerged as a popular drink choice among health-conscious consumers looking for a lighter alternative to beer, wine, and traditional mixed drinks.
The defining characteristics of most sugar free seltzers are:
- Low in sugar and carbohydrates - Most have 0g-2g of sugar and 1g or less of carbohydrates per serving
- Gluten free
- Around 100 calories per 12 oz serving
- 4-6% alcohol by volume, equivalent to a light beer
- Nitrosamine free
White Claw, owned by Mark Anthony Brands, is often credited with kickstarting the hard seltzer craze in 2016. Its low carb, low calorie, gluten free formula appealed to health and fitness enthusiasts looking for a drink that didn't derail their diet. The brand saw triple digit sales growth year over year from 2016 to 2019.
Other top selling seltzer brands like Truly and Bon & Viv soon entered the market and it has since exploded. Nielsen data shows US sales of hard seltzers jumped over 200% in 2019 to nearly $1.5 billion. White Claw alone had over 50% market share.
Why Sugar Free Seltzers Have Become So Popular
There are several driving factors behind the meteoric rise of spiked seltzers:
Health consciousness
Consumers are more ingredient and health conscious than ever before. They want drinks with natural flavors, low sugar, and low carbs. Sugar free spiked seltzers check all these boxes. Their lightness in calories and carbs appeal to consumers avoiding heavy beers and sugary cocktails.
Gluten free appeal
Hard seltzers are generally gluten-free, since they are fermented from cane sugar. This makes them suitable for people with celiac disease or those avoiding gluten. Gluten free diets rose in popularity with the general public over the past decade.
Low alcohol content
With an ABV around 4-6%, spiked seltzers have roughly half the alcohol content of many beers and mixed drinks. This makes them appealing for casual drinking and for consumers looking to pace themselves. The lighter alcohol content also results in less intoxication.
Interesting flavors
Seltzer brands rotate in new flavors like lemon, mango, grapefruit, pineapple, cranberry, and more to keep consumers interested. The flavors add variety over drinking plain hard liquor or unflavored beverages.
Gender neutral branding
Many brands like White Claw, Bon & Viv, and Nauti position themselves as gender neutral. This makes them appealing to both men and women as "lifestyle brands" that align with active, health-oriented lifestyles.
Marketing
Hard seltzer brands invest heavily in marketing on social media platforms like Instagram to build brand awareness and identity. Their advertising and influencer marketing presents drinking these beverages as fun and trendy.
Convenience
The portability of canned seltzers adds to their convenience for casual drinking at home, bringing to parties or gatherings, camping trips, beach days, and other activities.
Nutrition Profile of Popular Sugar Free Seltzer Brands
While sugar free seltzers advertise themselves as low carb, low calorie options, their precise nutrition facts can vary by brand and flavor.
White Claw
White Claw has 100 calories and 2g carbs per 12oz serving. It contains alcohol from fermented sugar and carbonated water for bubbles. Each can uses a blend of fruit flavor and citric acid for taste.
Truly
Truly seltzers also have 100 calories and 1g carb per 12oz serving. Their ingredient list includes alcohol, carbonated water, natural flavors, citric acid, and fruit juice concentrates for flavor. They are sweetened with a touch of cane sugar.
Bon & Viv
Bon & Viv has 90 calories and 0g carbs per 12oz can. Their beverages are made with sparkling water, alcohol distilled from grain, and natural flavors. They use stevia leaf extract rather than sugar to add a touch of sweetness.
Smirnoff Seltzer
Smirnoff Seltzers contain 90 calories and less than 1g of carbs per 12 oz serving. Their ingredients are carbonated water, alcohol from fermented sugar, citric acid, and natural flavors.
Nauti
Nauti Seltzers clock in at 100 calories and 2g carbs per 12 oz can. Their seltzers are gluten-free. Nauti adds a touch of organic cane sugar and fruit juice concentrates for sweetness and flavoring.
Are Sugar Free Seltzers Actually Healthy?
While sugar free spiked seltzers market themselves as light options for health-conscious drinkers, are they actually healthy? Here are some things to consider:
Low calorie but still alcoholic
At around 100 calories per serving, seltzers are certainly lower in calories than many beers, cocktails, or wines. However, they still contain alcohol. No alcoholic beverage can be considered truly healthy, as alcohol itself is linked to potential health risks when over-consumed.
Natural flavors can be processed
While brands advertise "natural flavors", these are often highly processed flavorings engineered in a lab. So they aren't as wholesome as fruits themselves.
Lack nutrients
Seltzers essentially contain alcohol, carbonated water, and lab-created flavors. They lack any nutrients or health benefits that you'd find in fruit juices, antioxidants from wine, or vitamins and minerals from beer brewed with grains.
Easy to over-consume
The lower alcohol content of spiked seltzers allows drinkers to easily over-consume without feeling intoxicated. This can potentially lead to health and safety risks associated with excessive alcohol intake.
Not above daily alcohol recommendations
Moderate drinking is defined as up to 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. Even at 4-6% ABV, consuming more than that of a hard seltzer can exceed daily alcohol intake recommendations.
Potential Health Effects of Drinking Too Many Sugar Free Seltzers
While an occasional spiked seltzer with friends or at a party is unlikely to cause harm, excessive consumption may impact health. Potential risks include:
Weight gain
The "beer belly" is a real phenomenon. While lower in calories, regularly drinking multiple seltzers per day adds excess, empty calories that can lead to weight gain.
Liver damage
The liver metabolizes alcohol. Excessive intake stresses the liver and can cause fatty liver disease and permanent scarring.
High blood pressure
Heavy drinking is associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Spiked seltzers still count towards total alcohol intake.
Heart disease
Binge and heavy drinking patterns are risk factors for heart disease, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.
Brain damage
Excessive alcohol consumption causes cognitive impairment, memory issues, and brain damage over time.
Digestive issues
Heavily drinking alcoholic beverages commonly causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive complaints.
Cancer risk
Regularly consuming multiple
FAQs
Are spiked seltzers gluten-free?
Yes, most hard seltzers are gluten-free. They are fermented from cane sugar or fruit rather than grains like barley that contain gluten. Brands will advertise if their seltzers are gluten-free.
Do sugar free seltzers have any calories or carbs?
Most have around 100 calories and 1-2 grams of carbs per 12 oz serving. These come from the alcohol itself and small amounts of fruit juice or sugar added for flavor.
What is the alcohol content of hard seltzers?
Seltzers generally contain 4-6% alcohol by volume, which is less than most beers or mixed drinks. This is equivalent to about 1 shot of hard liquor.
Are spiked seltzers keto-friendly?
Some brands with 0g-1g carbs per serving can fit into a keto diet in moderation. But their alcohol content means they aren't truly keto.
Can I make my own sugar free seltzers at home?
Yes, you can make DIY seltzers by adding vodka, club soda or sparkling water, and fresh fruit like lemons, limes, oranges or berries. There are lots of easy DIY seltzer recipes online.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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