The low-down on NO-LO

Tried your hand at a Mojito Mocktail or do you spend your weekend sipping on a gin-less G&T? You are not alone. According to Mintel’s Alcoholic Drinks Review last year, 27% of Britons are now drinking more low and no-alcoholic drinks compared to a few years ago (with an age breakdown of 42% between the ages of 18-24 and 45% between the ages of 25-34).
We asked our resident nutritionist, Clarissa Lenherr, to share her view about this new way of drinking, and whether it is worth jumping on the bandwagon.

What is NO-LO drinking?
NO-LO is the nickname for no alcohol or low alcohol beverages. In the UK, beverages can be labelled low alcohol if they have an ABV below 1.2%. For alcohol-free drinks, the beverage needs to be below 0.05% ABV.
These products can be anything from no alcohol to low alcohol choices such as MEDA’s new NO-LO range of deliciously flavoured drinks / mixers curated with CBD + Nootropics + Adaptogens + Nutrients — that are great tasting AND smart! 

What is driving this trend?
One of the big players in this trend is the rise of the wellness movement. Consumers are more aware of the risks of excessive alcohol consumption and people are beginning to prioritise their health and nutrition.
With the COVID-19 pandemic upon us, there has been a spotlight on alcohol and its potential negative impact on our immune system and mental health. A survey by Alcohol Change UK showed that more than one in three people in the UK reported stopping drinking alcohol or reducing the frequency of their consumption during the COVID-19 lockdown. This increased awareness and change in habits, is likely to have people shifting their gaze to making smarter drinking choices.

What are the benefits?
Alcohol consumption can influence our energy, mood, sleep, immune system, weight management, cardiovascular and liver health – to name a few. Therefore, anything that helps us reduce alcohol consumption, is likely to have a beneficial impact on our health. The NHS suggests a maximum of 14 units a week, so if you are consuming more than this amount, reaching for a no-low beverage might be the solution for you. Replacing a habit with a habit is often one of the most effective ways of making a change.
Some no-low beverages are paired with other beneficial ingredients. Take MEDA’s NO-LO Recover drink which pairs CBD with Ginger and anti-inflammatory Turmeric, giving you a delicious drink with a side kick of nutrition!

What to look out for?
Some no-low beverages can be filled with artificial sweeteners, caffeine and sugar. Make sure to read your labels and know what you are replacing with. There are no health benefits of picking up a non-alcoholic beverage and replacing it with a glass full of sugar!
A delicious choice would be MEDA’s Espresso Medatini which is 50% lower in sugar and calories than the average espresso martini. Plus the beverage is paired with CBD which can help offset some of the jitters you may get from consuming too much caffeine.