Is Beer Good For You? | Health Benefits Vs. Risks
Beer is one of the oldest manufactured beverages on earth, an ancient drink long hailed for its supposed medicinal and even spiritual properties. But, from a modern medical perspective, is beer actually good for you? And, if so, to what degree?
Health Benefits Of Beer
It’s important to remember first that the supposed health benefits of beer are only in play when beer is consumed in moderation. Consuming any form of alcohol in excess can result in significant health issues, many in direct opposition to the benefits listed below.
So how much drinking is considered moderate drinking, at least when it comes to beer?
12 oz of beer per day or less for women, and 24 oz or less per day for men.
So, assuming this is in line with how you drink beer yourself, what might you expect it to do for you?
Increased Nutrition & Antioxidant Content
As with wine, beer is a source of antioxidants. Known as polyphenols or flavonoids, these substances neutralize free radicals in the body, unstable chemicals that can cause damage to your cells and increase your risk of certain diseases, including cancer.
Beer also contains important nutrients including protein, vitamin B, iron, calcium, phosphates, and fiber, though these can be sourced from any number of different foods.
Reduced Risk Of Diabetes
Beer may increase adiponectin, a hormone that improves insulin sensitivity and protects against type 2 diabetes.
Beer Protects Cardiovascular Health
While red wine has been considered the most beneficial alcoholic beverage for heart health, recent studies have suggested that moderate amounts of any alcoholic beverage can effectively lower a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.
Alcoholic drinks, it is believed, may benefit the heart by:
- raising HDL (high-density lipoprotein, also known as “good” cholesterol)
- reducing blood clotting, lowering heart attack risk or risk of heart disease
- preventing damage caused by LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol)
These effects, however, are not believed to be any substitute for proper diet and daily exercise.
Beer Helps Prevent Kidney Stones
Studies have found that moderate beer drinkers have a lower risk of developing kidney stones. This may once again be due to the presence of phytochemicals, natural antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains.
Beer Builds Stronger Bones
Beer is known to be a significant source of dietary silicon, which is used by the body to maintain bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Beer Can Improve Mental & Emotional Functioning
Self-medication with potentially addictive substances, like alcohol, is a slippery slope for many. But for some, moderate or targeted alcohol use can help temper inflammation and daily stress, as well as resist cognitive decline related to aging, including Alzheimer’s Disease.
Risks Associated With Beer Consumption
It’s easy to understand why medical professionals are hesitant to endorse even moderate beer consumption as a form of medicine. Alcohol is dangerous and habit forming, and while most people are able to drink responsibly, there are many who can’t or don’t.
Heavy drinking is associated with a wide variety of harmful health outcomes, both short- and long-term. These include:
Alcohol Poisoning
Many craft beers have high alcohol content, and hangovers aren’t the worst thing that can happen when you overdo it
Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially fatal condition. It can lead to coma or possible death due to respiratory depression (alcohol suppresses a person’s ability to breathe) or asphyxiation (if a person is unable to gag and chokes to death on their own vomit).
Accidental Injury
Drownings, motor vehicle crashes, sexual assault, and other tragic events are strongly associated with alcohol consumption, as alcohol greatly impairs a person’s decision-making, visual acuity, coordination, and reflexes at higher doses.
Liver Disease
Alcohol’s toxic effects on the liver are well-documented. High-intensity use can irritate this vital organ in the short term, resulting in alcoholic hepatitis.
In the long-term, heavy alcohol use can trigger fatty buildup in the liver followed by cell death and scarring, a condition known as cirrhosis of the liver.
Cirrhosis can develop into late-stage liver failure, which is fatal unless the organ is replaced through transplant.
Cancer
Alcohol and its metabolite, acetaldehyde, are toxic. With chronic use, alcohol can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer by a significant degree. Around 10% of all US cancer cases have been attributed to alcohol misuse.
Lower Life Expectancy & Quality Of Life
Severe alcohol use disorder is estimated to reduce a person’s life expectancy by up to 28 years, while also dramatically increasing the likelihood of:
- severe medical issues
- obesity
- poor immune system function
- reduced cognition and memory
If you struggle to control your beer drinking or moderate alcohol consumption, please contact us today to learn how we can help.
Written by Ark Behavioral Health Editorial Team
©2024 Ark National Holdings, LLC. | All Rights Reserved.
This page does not provide medical advice.
American Journal of Medical Science - Nutritional and health benefits of beer
Chicago Tribune - Does beer have any health benefits?
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) - Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
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