Craft Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer (NABLAB) - Perceived Role as Functional Foods Among Italian Consumers - Focus on Benefits for Well-Being and Physical Activity

Sep 30, 2026

Craft non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer (NABLAB) is increasingly viewed as a functional beverage because of bioactive polyphenols and micronutrients, aligning with health-oriented lifestyles. A descriptive cross-sectional online survey (March 2024–March 2025) with 527 Italian adults assessed familiarity, attitudes, and recommendation intentions. Most participants (68.3%) would recommend NABLAB’s functional properties, while 55.0% showed higher purchase motivation after learning about health benefits. Familiarity stayed low (34.7% tried; 22.2% found it easy to locate), with Baby Boomers and Millennials more receptive, supporting improved availability and health-focused communication.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Methods

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Article Craft Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer (NABLAB): Perceived Role as Functional Foods Among Italian Consumersand a Focus on Benefits for Well-Being and Physical Activity Mario Ruggiero 1, *, Nicla Mercurio 2, Leopoldo Ferrante 3, Olga Scudiero 4,5,6 and Filomena Mazzeo 3, * Academic Editor: DominikaGuzek Received: 14 November 2025 Revised: 17 December 2025 Accepted: 19 December 2025 Published: 21 December 2025 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. 1 Department of Medical, Human Movement and Well-Being Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy 2 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Roma 151, 07100 Sassari, Italy; [nmercurio@uniss.it](nmercurio@uniss.it) 3 Department of Economics, Law, Cybersecurity and Sports Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, 80035 Nola, Italy; [leopoldo.ferrante@collaboratore.uniparthenope.it](leopoldo.ferrante@collaboratore.uniparthenope.it) 4 Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy; [olga.scudiero@unina.it](olga.scudiero@unina.it) 5 CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy 6 Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy * [Correspondence: mario.ruggiero005@studenti.uniparthenope.it](Correspondence: mario.ruggiero005@studenti.uniparthenope.it) (M.R.); [filomena.mazzeo@uniparthenope.it](filomena.mazzeo@uniparthenope.it) (F.M.) Abstract Background/Objectives: Craft non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer (NABLAB) is attracting increasing attention as potential functional beverages due to their content of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals, and their suitability for healthoriented lifestyles. This study investigated Italian consumers’ perceptions of craft NABLABand explored possible generational differences in their acceptance. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted between March 2024 and March 2025 among adults living in Italy. The questionnaire, composed entirely of closed-ended questions, investigated familiarity with craft NABLAB, attitudes toward their potential health-related properties, and willingness to recommend them. Results: A total of 527 valid responses were analyzed descriptively and grouped by generation (Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers) . Results showed that 68.3% of participants would recommend craft NABLAB to others interested in their functional properties, while 55.0% reported higher motivation to purchase when informed about their potential health benefits. Familiarity with these products remained limited (34.7% had tried them, and only 22.2% considered them easy to find) . Baby Boomers and Millennials were more receptive, possibly due to greater health awareness and openness to innovation, whereas Generation Z displayed curiosity despite lower consumption experience. Conclusions: Overall, Italian consumers show a growing interest in craft NABLAB, especially when linked to wellness and active lifestyle benefits. Enhancing product availability and communication focused on health and functionality could promote more moderate and conscious drinking habits, contributing toa gradual cultural shift toward reduced alcohol consumption. Keywords: craft beer; non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer (NABLAB); functional foods; nutraceuticals; nutrition; sports supplements; wellness; consumers’ perception; fermented and healthy beverages; athletes 1. Introduction Beer is one of the most ancient and widely consumed fermented beverages, with origins dating back to the Neolithic era and documented production in Mesopotamia and Egypt [1–3] . Over the centuries, beer h

FAQs

What is the focus of the NABLAB study among Italian consumers?

The study examines Italian consumers’ perceptions of craft non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer (NABLAB) and explores generational differences in acceptance, particularly related to potential health and well-being benefits.

How was the survey conducted and who participated?

A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Italy between March 2024 and March 2025 among adults. The analysis included 527 valid responses grouped by generation.

What did the study find about recommendations and purchase motivation?

Overall, 68.3% of participants said they would recommend craft NABLAB, and 55.0% reported higher motivation to purchase when informed about potential health benefits. However, familiarity with the products remained limited.

Sep 30, 2026

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