Jason Wagner
Beer is the world's most popular alcoholic drink, with more than 6 in every 10 American adults drinking alcohol, and beer being a clear favorite. In a 2017 Gallup poll, 40% of participants preferred beer, compared to 30% for wine and 26% for liquor. However, this preference is not evenly distributed between men and women. The same poll found that 62% of male drinkers chose beer, compared to only 19% of women. This difference in preference may be influenced by various factors, including cultural norms, societal expectations, and biological differences.
Historically, alcohol consumption has been a male-dominated activity, and this trend persists today. Globally, men consume more alcohol and experience more alcohol-related harm than women. In 2016, 54% of males and 32% of females aged 15 and older consumed alcohol worldwide. While the gender gap in alcohol consumption is narrowing, with drinking habits of males and females converging, males still consume more alcohol and experience more alcohol-related injuries and deaths than females.
The preference for beer among men may be influenced by cultural and societal factors, such as the association between beer and sports. Beer distributors have capitalized on this association, with companies like Anheuser-Busch InBev investing heavily in sponsorships and partnerships with major sports leagues like the NFL and Major League Baseball. This has further reinforced the perception of beer as a masculine drink.
Additionally, biological differences between men and women may also play a role in the gender gap in beer consumption. Women tend to have lower average body weights and less total body water than men, which can affect how their bodies process and tolerate alcohol. Women may also be more susceptible to alcohol-induced health issues, such as liver inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer.
While the gender gap in beer consumption exists, it is important to note that drinking preferences and patterns can vary across different cultures and societies. The size of the gender gap can vary significantly between countries, suggesting that culturally prescribed gender roles and societal expectations play a significant role in shaping drinking habits.
What You'll Learn
Men consume more alcohol than women
Several factors contribute to the gender differences in alcohol consumption. Historically, alcohol consumption has been a male-dominated activity, influenced by culturally prescribed gender roles. Sports, a predominantly male-associated pastime in the United States, also plays a role in the popularity of beer among men, with strong associations between beer and sports like football and baseball. Additionally, marketing and sponsorship deals between beer conglomerates and sports organizations further reinforce the association between alcohol and sports.
The consequences of alcohol consumption also differ between genders. Men experience and cause more alcohol-related injuries and deaths than women. They are more likely to be arrested for driving under the influence, treated for alcohol-related harms in emergency departments and hospitals, and die from alcohol-related causes. However, research suggests that women may be more susceptible to certain alcohol-induced health issues, such as liver inflammation, cardiovascular disease, memory blackouts, hangovers, and certain cancers.
While the gender gap in alcohol consumption is narrowing, it is important to address the unique risks and consequences of alcohol consumption for both men and women when developing prevention strategies and public health initiatives.
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Alcohol-related harm
Alcohol misuse is a causal factor in more than 200 diseases and injury conditions. The harmful use of alcohol is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists alcohol misuse as the third leading risk factor for premature death and disability worldwide. It is estimated that 2.5 million people globally died from alcohol-related causes in 2004, with that number rising to 2.6 million in 2019. The alcohol-attributable mortality rate was higher among men, with 2 million deaths compared to 600,000 deaths among women in 2019.
Alcohol consumption, even at low levels, can bring health risks, but most alcohol-related harm comes from heavy episodic or continuous drinking. Alcohol is a psychoactive and toxic substance that can cause dependence. Alcohol-related harm can also extend beyond the drinker, with a significant proportion of alcohol-attributable disease burden arising from injuries such as road traffic accidents caused by someone else's drinking. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of several cancers, including breast, liver, head and neck, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers. It is also a causal factor in liver diseases, heart diseases, and mental health and behavioural conditions such as depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders.
In Australia, about half of the reported cases of interpersonal violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault are related to excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol-fuelled incidents are a factor in up to two-thirds of police callouts and around half of homicides. In New Zealand, the prevalence of self-reported harm from others' drinking was higher than that from one's drinking (18% vs. 12% in the past year) and was higher among women and young people.
Young people are more likely to drink at risky levels, and their increased alcohol consumption is linked to an increase in alcohol-caused hospitalisations. In Australia, 3.5 million people drank at levels that placed them at lifetime risk of an alcohol-related disease or injury. Each week, on average, more than 100 Australians die and more than 3,000 are hospitalised as a result of excessive alcohol consumption.
To reduce alcohol-related harm, preventative measures and policy reforms are necessary. This includes restricting the physical and economic availability of alcohol and reducing exposure to alcohol advertising, especially for young people.
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Gender differences in alcohol consumption
Historically, alcohol consumption has been a male-dominated activity. However, over the past century, differences in alcohol use and related harms between males and females have diminished considerably. While males still consume more alcohol and experience more alcohol-related injuries and deaths than females, the gap is narrowing. This is due to a decline in alcohol consumption among males and an increase among females.
Global trends
Globally, men consume more alcohol and account for more alcohol-related harms than women. In 2016, 54% of males (1.46 billion) and 32% of females (0.88 billion) aged 15 and older consumed alcohol. Alcohol caused approximately 3 million deaths that year, including 2.3 million men (8% of deaths) and 0.7 million women (3% of deaths). The gender gap in alcohol consumption varies between countries and their respective cultures, from a 1:1 ratio in New Zealand and Norway to a 12.3:1 ratio in India. These variations suggest that culturally prescribed gender roles play a significant role in shaping gender-specific drinking patterns.
Regional trends
In the United States, more males drink each year (68%) than females (64%). Male drinkers tend to drink more often and more heavily than females, consuming nearly three times as much pure alcohol per year. Males are also more likely to be arrested for driving under the influence, treated for alcohol-related harms, and to die from alcohol-related causes. Additionally, more males are diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) each year. However, among those with AUD, similar percentages of males and females receive treatment.
Research suggests that women are more likely than men to suffer consequences due to alcohol use by a spouse, partner, ex-partner, or family member. This includes financial troubles, property damage, harassment, or assault.
Age-based trends
Among adolescents and emerging adults, the gender gap in alcohol consumption is narrowing primarily due to a faster decline in alcohol use among males than females. In contrast, among adults, the gap is narrowing because of increases in drinking by women, while men's drinking remains stable or declines.
Pregnancy and alcohol
Alcohol use during pregnancy is a significant public health concern. While drinking during pregnancy has declined, research suggests that even small amounts of alcohol can negatively impact fetal development and lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Health consequences
Recent studies indicate that females are more susceptible than males to alcohol-induced liver inflammation, cardiovascular disease, memory blackouts, hangovers, and certain cancers. Women also tend to experience faster progression of AUD and are at greater risk for alcohol-related hangovers and liver disease.
Convergence in drinking patterns
The convergence in drinking patterns between males and females is not due to women simply drinking more like men. Instead, it is a result of changing gender roles and societal norms. As women gain access to traditionally male roles and environments, and as gender role differences diminish, drinking patterns and associated harms are converging.
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Alcohol consumption in adolescents
The consequences of underage drinking include a range of physical, academic, and social problems. Alcohol is the leading contributor to death due to injuries, the primary cause of death among individuals younger than 21 years of age. Annually, 5,000 youths die of alcohol-related injuries that involve underage drinking. This includes injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicides, as well as unintentional injuries not related to motor vehicle crashes.
Underage drinking is also associated with high-risk sexual behaviors, sexual misconduct, and assaults. Furthermore, alcohol use by the offender, victim, or both has been linked to sexual assault, including date rape.
From a biological perspective, alcohol's effects on the developing brain are particularly harmful. Research shows that people's brains continue to develop well into their twenties, and alcohol can alter this development, potentially affecting both brain structure and function. This may cause cognitive or learning problems and may increase vulnerability to AUD.
The social and environmental context also plays a role in adolescent alcohol consumption. The influence of parents and peers, as well as the impact of the media, have been found to be important factors. For instance, parents who drink more and view drinking favorably may have children who drink more.
Overall, addressing alcohol use is an important part of healthcare for all adolescents, and prevention strategies are crucial to reduce the harmful consequences of underage drinking.
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Alcohol-related deaths
Between 1999 and 2017, nearly one million people in the United States lost their lives due to alcohol-related injuries, overdoses, and diseases. The number of such deaths more than doubled from 35,914 per year to 72,558 per year, with a 51% increase in the rate per 100,000 people. During this period, alcohol-related deaths among men totaled 721,587, while 223,293 women died from alcohol-related causes.
The gender gap in alcohol-related mortality is narrowing, with a steeper increase in the number and age-adjusted rates of alcohol-related deaths among women compared to men. This trend is consistent with the changing patterns of alcohol use, as alcohol consumption among men has declined, while it has increased among women.
Alcohol consumption, even at low levels, can pose health risks. However, most alcohol-related harms are associated with heavy episodic or continuous drinking. Alcohol plays a causal role in over 200 diseases, injuries, and health conditions. It is linked to non-communicable diseases such as liver disease, heart disease, and various types of cancer. Alcohol is also a known carcinogen, increasing the risk of breast, liver, head and neck, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers.
In addition to the direct health risks, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is associated with developmental disabilities and birth defects. Moreover, alcohol consumption can result in social problems, including family issues, work-related difficulties, financial troubles, and unemployment.
The impact of alcohol consumption on health outcomes is influenced by various factors, such as the amount consumed, drinking frequency, individual health status, age, sex, and other personal characteristics. Certain groups and individuals may be more susceptible to the toxic and dependence-inducing effects of alcohol.
To address the harmful effects of alcohol, effective control interventions are available and should be utilized more widely. It is also essential for individuals to be aware of the risks associated with alcohol consumption and take necessary precautions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, men buy more beer than women. In a 2017 Gallup poll, 62% of male drinkers chose beer, compared with 19% of women.
The popularity of beer among men may be related to sports. Beer is strongly associated with sports like football and baseball, and beer companies have funnelled a lot of money into sports sponsorships.
Yes, men drink more than women. In 2016, 54% of males and 32% of females age 15 and older worldwide consumed alcohol. However, the gap between male and female drinking is narrowing.
Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of liver inflammation, cardiovascular disease, memory blackouts, hangovers, and certain cancers. Women are more susceptible to these health risks than men.
