NPR

Olympians Are Using Non-Alcoholic Beer As Recovery Drinks. Here's The Science

Today's Olympians have been swept up in a new trend largely emerging from Bavaria: non-alcoholic athletic recovery beers. Do they really work? We look at the evidence.
Magdalena Neuner of Germany enjoys a glass of Erdinger non-alcoholic beer after the medal ceremony for the Women's 10km Pursuit at the IBU Biathlon World Championships in Ruhpolding, Germany, in 2012. Today's Olympians have been swept up in a new trend largely emerging from Bavaria: non-alcoholic athletic recovery beers.

In greek mythology, the Olympians were said to drink ambrosia, which bestowed upon them immortality. Occasionally, athletic heroes like Heracles were also gifted a sip. Well, the myths don't say much about the golden-amber liquid getting them all drunk.

Today's Olympians have been swept up in a new trend largely emerging from Bavaria: non-alcoholic athletic recovery beers. A number of breweries, such as Erdinger and Krombacher have, over the last few years, expanded their offerings of sober sports beers. This year, beers from both brands are a common sight in the Olympic Village.

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