Harmony Chandler
Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks worldwide. It is made by brewing and fermenting cereal grains with yeast, hops, and other flavouring agents. Beer contains minerals such as magnesium, potassium, selenium, and B vitamins. It can also contain antioxidants from hops.
Drinking beer has been linked to several health benefits, including improved heart health, better blood sugar control, stronger bones, and reduced dementia risk. However, excessive beer consumption can lead to various negative health effects, such as weight gain, liver disease, and an increased risk of certain cancers.
The key to reaping the potential benefits of beer is moderation, which is generally defined as one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Excessive drinking can have serious immediate and long-term consequences, affecting not only physical health but also mental health and overall well-being.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Positive impact | May aid your bone density, improve blood sugar control, lower dementia risk, prevent heart disease, reduce cholesterol, prevent decline of thinking skills in later life, prevent digestive tract infection, prevent gallstones, prevent type 2 diabetes, prevent Helicobacter pylori infection, stimulate the appetite and digestion, increase the flow of breast milk, prevent osteoporosis, prevent prostate cancer, prevent breast cancer, prevent kidney stones, prevent airway infections caused by exercise, prevent heart failure, prevent death from any cause |
| Negative impact | May disrupt your sleep, slow down your weight-loss process, cause digestive issues, increase your risk of chronic diseases, increase the risk of early death, cause alcohol dependence, increase the risk of depression, cause liver disease, cause weight gain, increase the risk of certain types of cancer, cause birth defects, cause developmental and behavioural disorders, disturb the infant's sleep pattern, reduce milk production, trigger asthma, make gout worse, make heart conditions worse, increase blood pressure, make insomnia worse, make neurological conditions worse, make a condition of the pancreas called pancreatitis worse, make stomach ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease worse, make a blood condition called porphyria worse, make mental problems worse, slow down the central nervous system |
What You'll Learn
May aid your bone density
Beer has been linked to increased bone mineral density in both men and women. According to a 2021 review published in Nutrients, the consumption of one beer per week has been associated with a lower risk of hip fracture. However, more research must be done to support this and evaluate if the benefits outweigh the downsides of beer consumption.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2009 found that moderate consumption of alcohol may be beneficial to bone health in men and postmenopausal women. The study found that men who consumed 1-2 drinks per day of total alcohol or beer had 3.4-4.5% higher hip bone mineral density (BMD) than non-drinkers. Postmenopausal women who consumed more than 2 drinks per day of total alcohol or wine had 5.0-8.3% higher hip and spine BMD than non-drinkers.
Another study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2022 found that, compared to non-drinkers, consumption of up to two standard drinks of alcohol per day was correlated with higher lumbar and femur neck BMD values. The study also found that up to one standard drink of alcohol was correlated with higher hip BMD compared to no alcohol consumption.
The positive effects of alcohol consumption on bone are attributed to several factors, including the direct ethanol effect at inhibiting bone resorption, the high silicon content of beer, and the effects of various phytochemicals contained in the beverages.
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Could disrupt your sleep
Beer is popularly known to make consumers feel relaxed and experience feelings of euphoria. However, the alcohol in beer can affect the brain so that reflexes are slowed down, and balance, memory, and sleep may be impaired.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that alcohol can affect the brain's communication pathway and even affect the brain's ability to process information. Even light drinking during the day can impair sleep quality. 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, and one or fewer for women) experienced a 9.3% decrease in sleep quality. When alcohol is consumed, the liver metabolises it, which can result in a fitful night of sleep.
Additionally, drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day can increase blood pressure and make insomnia worse.
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May cause digestive issues
Alcohol is first broken down in the stomach, promoting an increase in digestive juices. However, it also irritates the small intestine and colon, where it is further broken down and absorbed. This can affect the normal speed at which food moves through the digestive tract, potentially resulting in abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhoea.
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 its fermented compounds, beer could potentially benefit gut health.
The alcohol in beer can also result in dehydration, as it can disrupt the hormones that affect kidney function, which can, in turn, affect the body's ability to regulate fluids and electrolytes.
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Can increase your risk of chronic diseases
Excessive beer consumption can increase your risk of developing chronic diseases. Drinking three or more beers a day is associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension, haemorrhagic stroke, a weakened immune system, learning and memory problems, job-related issues, and alcohol use disorders.
In addition, excessive beer consumption can increase your risk of developing heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol dependency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking can increase your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle.
Research also associates any alcohol intake with an increased risk of cancers, including throat and mouth cancers. The American Cancer Society states that alcohol consumption accounts for 6% of all cancers and 4% of cancer deaths in the United States.
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May cause weight gain
Beer is often viewed as empty calories, but it does contain some minerals and vitamins. However, drinking beer can make you prone to weight gain and obesity, which is the root of many other health issues.
A standard 12-ounce (355-millilitre) beer contains around 153 calories, so consuming multiple drinks can contribute to weight gain. Beer contains a low amount of alcohol, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 4% to 6%, but the amount of alcohol may vary depending on the brand. A pint of beer contains 208 calories.
When consumed, alcohol goes to the "front of the line" as the liver prioritises getting rid of that toxin first. So, if you are trying to lose weight, alcohol can slow down the entire fat-burning process.
Beer is also often associated with the "beer belly". However, most studies have found that people who drink beer regularly (and moderately) not only don't develop beer bellies but also weigh less than non-drinkers.
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Frequently asked questions
Excessive beer drinking can cause immediate health effects such as trouble controlling emotions, violent activities, alcohol poisoning, and risky sexual behaviours.
Consuming three or more drinks a day is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, hemorrhagic stroke, weakening of the immune system, learning and memory problems, job-related problems, and alcohol use disorders.
Studies have suggested that beer can help prevent heart disease and increase bone mineral density. Beer also contains some vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, calcium, and B vitamins.
