Arabella Franco
Beer or beef? Which is healthier? It's a question that has plagued humans for centuries, or at least since the invention of beer. While both have their pros and cons in terms of health benefits, it's important to remember that consumption of either should be done in moderation. Beer, for example, has more antioxidants than hard liquor, but excessive drinking can lead to negative consequences such as liver damage and weight gain. On the other hand, beef provides essential nutrients such as protein and iron but can also be high in saturated fat and calories. So, which is the healthier choice? The answer may depend on individual health needs and preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speed of intoxication | Beer takes longer to get you drunk than wine |
| Calories | Beer has 50% more calories than wine |
| Weight gain | Beer drinkers are more likely to gain weight than wine drinkers |
| Hangover | Beer and wine are equally likely to cause a hangover |
| Heart health | Wine is better for heart health than beer |
| Liver damage | Beer is more likely to cause liver damage than wine |
| Cancer risk | Beer and wine are associated with an increased risk of cancer |
| Bone health | Beer may increase bone mineral density |
| Sleep | Beer may help with sleep disturbances |
| Skin protection | Wine may protect your skin from harmful UV rays |
What You'll Learn
Beer has more calories than wine
However, beer is not without its benefits. It has a higher nutritional value than wine, with more protein, fibre, B vitamins, folate, and niacin. Beer also contains hops, which studies have shown may inhibit obesity and can increase bone mineral density. Beer also has more antioxidants than hard liquor, although the overall effect is small.
Wine, on the other hand, is linked to lower heart disease risk, and red wine in particular has been shown to slow ageing and tackle acne. Wine also has cardiovascular benefits, with a Glasgow University study finding that drinking spirits instead of wine increases the risk of cardiovascular events by 31%.
While beer has more calories, both drinks have their advantages and disadvantages, and the key to reaping any potential health benefits is moderation.
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Beer has more carbs than spirits
Light beers, however, tend to have a third fewer calories than regular beer and also less alcohol, making them a smarter choice when drinking in moderation. For example, Miller64 is a light lager with 2.4 grams of carbs per 12-fluid-ounce bottle. Budweiser Select 55 is another low-carb option, with only 1.9 grams of carbs per 12-fluid-ounce serving.
Some beers are also flavoured and include added sugars, which can push the carb count up to over 25 grams per 12-ounce serving. For instance, Blue Moon Light, a Belgian ale with added pineapple, has 6 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving.
If you're looking for a low-carb beer option, Miller Lite has 3.2 grams of carbs per bottle. Another option is Michelob Ultra Pure Gold, which has 2.5 grams of carbs and is also USDA-certified organic.
While beer has more carbs than spirits, it's important to note that the overall nutritional value of beer exceeds that of spirits. Beer contains protein, fiber, B vitamins, folate, and niacin, making it more like food. Additionally, studies suggest that hops may have health benefits, such as inhibiting obesity and increasing bone mineral density.
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Beer has more antioxidants than spirits
Beer is one of the most popular and oldest drinks in the world, with a rich history and cultural significance. While it is not a superfood, drinking beer in moderation can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Beer has a higher nutritional value than wine, with more protein, fibre, vitamins, folate, and niacin. Beer also contains antioxidants, which are compounds that help us stay healthy by reducing the oxidative stress caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species.
The antioxidant activity of beer comes mainly from two ingredients used in brewing: malt and hops. The darker the beer, the more antioxidants it tends to have. Beers contain phenolic compounds and melanoidins, which are formed during the brewing process. Phenolic compounds are characterised by the presence of at least one phenol unit, and they can reduce reactive oxygen species and various organic substrates and minerals. They also have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypocholesterolemic properties. Melanoidins, on the other hand, are nitrogenous and brown-coloured products of the Maillard reaction, which occurs during the malting and brewing process. They have been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antiallergenic, and prebiotic properties.
The antioxidant activity of beer has been linked to several health benefits. Moderate beer consumption has been associated with increased bone density, improved cardiovascular health, and reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Beer may also help regulate blood sugar levels, with studies showing that light to moderate drinking could lower the risk of developing diabetes by up to 50%.
However, it is important to note that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to negative health consequences, including hangovers, dependency, liver damage, and increased risk of certain diseases. Therefore, it is essential to practise moderation when consuming beer or any other alcoholic beverage.
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Beer and wine can both damage your liver
Excessive alcohol consumption can significantly affect the liver and contribute to three types of liver disease: the excessive buildup of fat in the liver (also known as fatty liver or hepatic steatosis), inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis), and the replacement of normal liver tissue by scarred tissue (alcohol-related cirrhosis). Almost all heavy drinkers develop fatty liver, which is the earliest stage of alcohol-related liver disease. About one-third of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis, where the liver becomes inflamed and swollen, and liver cells are destroyed. Of heavy drinkers, 10-20% develop cirrhosis, a serious and usually irreversible condition that usually develops after 10 or more years of drinking.
Beer and wine are not safer than spirits. Alcohol is alcohol, regardless of the type. One standard drink is equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits. All have the same amount of alcohol and the same effects on the body.
According to a study by Glasgow University researchers, those who consume spirits, as well as beer and cider drinkers, had about a 48% higher chance of liver damage compared to those who drank wine. However, it is important to note that the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption are also crucial factors in determining liver damage risk.
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Beer and wine can both increase the risk of cancer
There is a strong scientific consensus that alcohol consumption can cause several types of cancer. The National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services lists the consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen. The evidence indicates that the more alcohol a person consumes, the higher their risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer. Even those who have just one drink per day or binge drink have a modestly increased risk of some cancers. Based on data from 2009, an estimated 3.5% of cancer deaths in the United States (about 19,500 deaths) were alcohol-related.
Clear patterns have emerged between alcohol consumption and the development of the following types of cancer:
- Head and neck cancer: Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption is associated with higher risks of oral cavity, pharynx (throat), and larynx (voice box) cancers. The risks are substantially higher among those who also use tobacco.
- Esophageal cancer: Alcohol consumption at any level is associated with an increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The risks range from 1.3-fold higher for light drinking to nearly 5-fold higher for heavy drinking.
- Liver cancer: Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with approximately a 2-fold increased risk of two types of liver cancer: hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
- Breast cancer: Epidemiologic studies have consistently found an increased risk of breast cancer with increasing alcohol intake. Light drinkers have a slightly increased risk, while moderate and heavy drinkers have a significantly higher risk.
- Colorectal cancer: Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption is associated with a 1.2- to 1.5-fold increased risk of cancers of the colon and rectum compared with no alcohol consumption.
In addition, evidence is accumulating that alcohol consumption is associated with increased risks of melanoma and prostate and pancreatic cancers. While alcohol consumption has been linked to decreased risks of kidney cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in some studies, the potential benefits are likely outweighed by the harms of alcohol consumption. A recent study concluded that the optimal number of drinks to consume per day to minimize overall health risk is zero.
It's important to note that the type of alcohol beverage, such as beer or wine, does not matter when it comes to cancer risk. It is the alcohol itself that causes damage to the body, even in small amounts. Therefore, reducing alcohol intake is crucial for lowering the risk of cancer and improving overall health.
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Frequently asked questions
Beer has more nutritional value than wine, with higher levels of protein, fibre, B vitamins, folate, and niacin. However, beer is also high in carbohydrates and can cause blood sugar spikes.
There is no clear answer, but darker drinks are thought to contain more congeners, which are organic molecules that may be toxic to the body and contribute to hangover symptoms.
A pint of beer has 50% more calories than a small glass of wine, but moderate drinkers are unlikely to gain weight from either drink over the short term.
Both beer and wine contain ethanol, which can lead to liver damage if consumed in excess. However, a study found that beer and cider drinkers had a 48% higher chance of liver damage than those who consumed spirits.
Red wine is considered healthier than beer due to its higher polyphenol content, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. However, beer also contains polyphenols and may offer similar modest health benefits.
