Beer-Only Diets: A Dangerous, Unhealthy Way To Survive

Drinking only beer is not a sustainable way to live. While beer contains water and sugar, it is deficient in other nutrients needed for the body to function properly, including protein, fat, and vitamins. With an average pint of beer containing around 240 calories, you would need at least eight pints per day to fuel your body. However, the high volume of alcohol consumed over time would harm your liver and kidneys, and the diuretic effect of alcohol could lead to dehydration.

The lack of necessary vitamins and minerals in beer would also lead to health issues. For example, a diet of pure beer would likely cause a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which is known as beriberi and can lead to heart failure if untreated. Additionally, the low levels of vitamin C in beer could lead to scurvy, which would cause gum disease, bleeding from the skin, and potentially a slow death from infection.

While it is possible to survive on beer for a short period, as evidenced by individuals who have attempted beer-only diets, the lack of necessary nutrients and the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption make it clear that relying solely on beer as a source of sustenance is not a viable long-term option.

Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, so you would be at risk of dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine output. If you're urinating more than you're taking in fluids, this can lead to dehydration. Alcohol inhibits the release of an anti-diuretic hormone called vasopressin, which normally causes the kidneys to retain water rather than passing it as urine. This can lead to excessive water loss and dehydration.

The non-alcoholic fluids in beer are inherently hydrating, but they may not be enough to offset the dehydrating effects of alcohol. A 2016 study found that one lager beer seemed to be just as hydrating as water after two hours. However, this could be because beer has a high water content and calories, which can delay gastric emptying.

Beer might not be as dehydrating as other alcoholic drinks. A study comparing the diuretic effects of beer, wine, spirits, and their non-alcoholic counterparts found that stronger alcoholic drinks had a greater diuretic effect. Interestingly, urine output after drinking a typical beer was no different from that of a non-alcoholic beer or water. Several other studies have come to similar conclusions, suggesting that beer might actually provide adequate hydration.

However, it's important to note that stronger beers are likely to be more dehydrating, and drinks containing essential electrolytes are still better for hydration. Alcohol can also delay stomach emptying, which can cause vomiting and further dehydration. Therefore, while beer may not be as dehydrating as other alcoholic beverages, it is still important to consume water and electrolytes to maintain proper hydration, especially when drinking alcohol.

In summary, while beer may have some hydrating properties, alcohol is a diuretic that can increase urine output and inhibit the release of the anti-diuretic hormone vasopressin. This can lead to excessive water loss and dehydration. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain proper hydration by consuming water and electrolytes in addition to alcoholic beverages.

Scurvy: A vitamin C deficiency

It is not possible to survive on beer alone. Beer contains water, sugar, and some vitamins and minerals, but it is deficient in other nutrients the body needs to function properly, including protein, fat, and vitamins B1 and C.

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient for maintaining an individual's health and well-being. It has significant antioxidant properties that protect cells from free radical damage. Vitamin C also nurtures the growth and repair of skin, cartilage, bone, and teeth.

Scurvy is a clinical disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. It can affect all age groups, sexes, and races. In developed countries, vitamin C deficiency affects up to 10% of women and 14% of men. Risk factors include alcoholism, low socioeconomic status, and severe psychiatric illness leading to poor nutrition.

The initial clinical features of scurvy are nonspecific and include general malaise, lethargy, poor appetite, and failure to thrive. As the condition progresses, shortness of breath, wasting, anaemia, oedema, and mucocutaneous changes develop. Oral symptoms include bleeding gums, loose teeth, and gum disease. Skin symptoms include perifollicular haemorrhages, purpura, and fragile, twisted corkscrew hairs. Other symptoms include eye dryness and irritation, painful joints, and subperiosteal haemorrhage.

Scurvy is diagnosed clinically through relevant medical history, physical examination observations, and a rapid response to vitamin C supplementation. Treatment involves vitamin C supplementation, with dosages of up to 300 mg/day for children and 500 to 1000 mg/day for adults. Symptoms of fatigue, lethargy, and confusion improve within 24 hours of supplementation. Most symptoms tend to resolve completely within 3 months.

In summary, while beer contains some vitamins and minerals, it is deficient in vitamin C. Prolonged consumption of beer alone can lead to vitamin C deficiency and the development of scurvy.

Protein deficiency: Beer lacks protein, which could cause muscle wasting and anaemia

Beer lacks protein, which could cause muscle wasting and anaemia. Protein is one of the body's main building blocks and plays a crucial role in the structure and function of muscles, skin, enzymes, and hormones. While true protein deficiency is uncommon in Western countries, it can still occur and affect almost all aspects of body function.

Protein deficiency can lead to muscle wasting, where the body takes protein from skeletal muscles to preserve more critical tissues and functions. This can happen even with moderate protein insufficiency and is especially prevalent in older adults. In addition, protein deficiency can cause anaemia, a condition in which there is a decrease in red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood. Anaemia can result in fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

The symptoms of protein deficiency are varied and can include hair loss, increased hunger, and more severe infections. Over time, the lack of protein can lead to a decline in overall health and well-being. It is important to note that the role of pure protein deficiency can be challenging to determine in humans as it is often associated with other nutritional deficiencies, such as folic acid, iron, or vitamin B12 deficiencies.

To prevent protein deficiency, it is crucial to consume a balanced diet that includes adequate amounts of protein. Animal proteins, such as meat, fish, eggs, and poultry, offer complete proteins with all the essential amino acids needed by the body. Plant-based proteins, such as soy, hemp, quinoa, and amaranth, can also provide complete proteins. Consuming a variety of protein sources ensures an adequate intake of essential amino acids and supports overall health.

Thiamine deficiency: Beer lacks thiamine (vitamin B1), which could lead to beriberi, a disease that can cause heart failure

Thiamine, or vitamin B1, is an essential vitamin that was the first to be identified. It is a catalyst in the generation of energy and acts as a coenzyme for transketolase reactions in the form of thiamine pyrophosphate. Thiamine also plays a role in propagating nerve impulses and is involved in myelin sheath maintenance.

A deficiency in thiamine can occur due to inadequate dietary intake, certain medical conditions, or other factors such as alcohol dependence, long-term use of parenteral nutrition, and chronic illness. Worldwide, thiamine deficiency is most commonly reported in populations where polished rice and milled cereals are the main food sources.

Symptoms of thiamine deficiency include fatigue, irritability, nerve damage, and in severe cases, beriberi. Beriberi is a disease that can present as either "wet" or "dry" beriberi. Wet beriberi involves the cardiovascular system and can lead to high-output heart failure, edema, and fluid retention. If left untreated, wet beriberi can lead to death within days. On the other hand, dry beriberi occurs without heart failure and presents as symmetrical peripheral neuropathy.

Beer is notably deficient in thiamine, and if left untreated, a thiamine deficiency could lead to the deadly disease beriberi, which can cause heart failure. Therefore, surviving on beer alone is not possible due to the lack of thiamine and other essential nutrients in beer.

Liver disease: The high volume of alcohol would harm your liver

Liver disease is a serious risk of consuming only beer. The high volume of alcohol would harm your liver and kidneys. Alcohol is a diuretic, so dehydration could also be an issue.

The liver is one of the most complex organs in the body. Its functions include filtering toxins from the blood, aiding digestion, regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and helping fight infection and disease. Each time the liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die. The liver can develop new cells, but prolonged alcohol misuse over many years can reduce its ability to regenerate. This can result in serious and permanent damage to your liver.

There are three main stages of alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD):

• Alcoholic fatty liver disease: Drinking a large amount of alcohol, even for just a few days, can lead to a build-up of fats in the liver. This rarely causes any symptoms but is a warning sign that you're drinking at a harmful level. Fatty liver disease is reversible. If you stop drinking alcohol for a few weeks to a few months, your liver should return to normal.
• Alcoholic hepatitis: Alcoholic hepatitis is a potentially serious condition that can be caused by alcohol misuse over a longer period. It is an inflammation of the liver that lasts one to two weeks and is believed to lead to alcoholic cirrhosis over several years. Alcoholic hepatitis can be fatal, especially if you have had previous liver damage.
• Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is a stage of ARLD where the liver has become significantly scarred. It is generally not reversible, but stopping drinking alcohol immediately can prevent further damage and significantly increase your life expectancy.

The death rates linked to ARLD have risen considerably over the last few decades. Alcohol misuse is now one of the most common causes of death in the UK, along with smoking and high blood pressure.

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