Lucy Palmer
Drinking beer every day can have both immediate and long-term effects on your health. The immediate effects include disrupted sleep and dehydration, while long-term effects include an increased risk of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, and certain types of cancer. Beer is also associated with weight gain and digestive issues. However, some studies suggest that moderate beer consumption may have benefits such as increased bone density and improved heart and gut health. It is important to note that the definition of moderate consumption varies and that excessive drinking can lead to serious health problems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Positive effects | Negative effects |
| --- | --- |
| May aid your bone density | May disrupt your sleep |
| May improve gut health | May cause digestive issues |
| May reduce the risk of heart disease | May slow down your weight-loss process |
| May lower the risk of diabetes | May cause dehydration |
| May lower the risk of cancer | May increase your risk of chronic diseases |
What You'll Learn
May Aid Your Bone Density
Drinking beer has been linked to increased bone mineral density for both men and women, with a 2021 review published in Nutrients suggesting that the consumption of one beer per week is associated with a lower risk of hip fracture. However, the review also notes that more research is needed to support this and evaluate if the benefits outweigh the downsides of beer consumption.
A 2009 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that compared to non-drinkers, hip bone mineral density was greater (3.4%–4.5%) in men consuming 1–2 drinks per day of beer. A 2007 study published in Osteoporosis International also found that men who consumed 1–2 beers per day had a lower risk of hip fracture.
A 2018 study published in Nutrients found that moderate alcohol consumption may decrease diabetes risk in men. The study also found that men who were high consumers of beer and had baseline normal glucose tolerance had a significantly increased risk of developing abnormal glucose regulation compared to occasional beer drinkers.
A 2011 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that at baseline, lumbar spine bone mineral density was positively associated with the frequency of low-alcohol beer drinking in women. A 2007 study published in the same journal also found that women who drank more than two beers per day had significantly greater (5%–8.3%) bone density.
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Could Disrupt Your Sleep
Drinking beer or any other type of alcohol can disrupt your sleep. While drinking beer is known for making the consumer feel relaxed and euphoric, the intoxication of alcohol can affect your brain's long-term health.
According to Kimberly Gomer M.S., RD, LDN, "The alcohol in beer can affect the brain so that reflexes are slowed down, and [your] balance, memory and sleep may be impaired."
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that alcohol can affect your brain's communication pathway and even affect your brain's ability to process information.
Even if you consume a light amount of alcohol during the day, your sleep quality may be impaired. A 2018 study published in JMIR Mental Health compared the sleep quality of participants who consumed different amounts of alcohol and found that even light drinkers (drinking two or fewer servings for men, one or fewer for women) experienced a 9.3% decrease in sleep quality. When you consume alcohol, your liver metabolises it, which can result in a fitful night of sleep.
The liver prioritises getting rid of alcohol, so if you are trying to lose weight, it can slow down the fat-burning process.
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Slows Down Your Weight-Loss Process
Drinking beer every day can slow down your weight-loss process.
Beer is high in calories, and so are the mixers that are often used in drinks. Calories from alcohol are empty calories, as they do not help the body meet its nutritional needs. People typically consume alcoholic drinks in addition to their regular daily calorie intake.
When you consume alcohol, it goes directly to your liver. The body has no ability to store alcohol, as it recognises it as a toxin. The liver is then tasked with prioritising getting rid of that toxin first. So, if you are trying to lose weight, because alcohol is prioritised, it can slow down the entire fat-burning process.
The liver can handle a certain amount of alcohol, but as a person continues to drink, it can become stressed to the point of causing permanent damage.
According to a study, the protective effect of low and/or moderate alcohol consumption on cardiovascular risk was only evident in younger women (aged 18–34), whereas cardioprotection became evident at middle (aged 35–49) or older age (aged 50–64) in men.
In addition, drinking beer every day can also cause weight gain and abdominal obesity.
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May Cause Digestive Issues
Drinking beer every day can cause digestive issues. Alcohol is first broken down in the stomach, promoting an increase in digestive juices. It also irritates the small intestine and colon where it is further broken down and absorbed, and it also can affect the normal speed at which food moves through them, which may result in abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
When consumed in large amounts, alcohol can cause intestinal inflammation and issues within the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. It can negatively alter the bacteria in your gut and permeate the lining of the intestine (leaky gut syndrome), making the body even more susceptible to alcohol-related diseases, including alcoholic fatty liver disease.
However, some research suggests that due to beer's fermented compounds, this alcoholic beverage could potentially benefit your gut health.
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Can Increase Your Risk of Chronic Diseases
Drinking beer every day can increase your risk of chronic diseases, including:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- High blood pressure
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, oesophagus, colon, rectum, liver and breast
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Frequently asked questions
Drinking beer every day may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease by raising your blood pressure. However, some studies have found that drinking low amounts of beer is safe and may even be beneficial for the cardiovascular system.
Drinking beer every day may cause weight gain, especially if you are drinking more than the recommended amount. Beer contains around 150 calories per 12-ounce serving, and drinking more than the recommended amount could add more than 300 calories to your diet.
Drinking beer every day may put you at risk for hypertension, which can increase your risk for kidney disease. Beer is also a diuretic, which means you could be putting extra strain on your kidneys if you're drinking more than the recommended amount.
The jury is still out on whether drinking beer every day is bad for your brain. Some studies have found that drinking beer may reduce neuroinflammation and cognitive decline, but other studies have found that heavy drinking increases the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.
Yes, drinking beer can disrupt your sleep. Alcohol can affect your brain's communication pathways and impair your sleep, even if you only consume a light amount.
