10 Health Benefits of Drinking Beer

Medically Reviewed by DR. HARDIK BAMBHANIA, MBBS, MD November 14, 2023

Amongst alcohol, beer is one of the major consumed and popular beverages. It contains less alcohol than other hard liquors and has numerous health benefits. The Health benefits of beer have a wide range, such as lowering the risk of cancer, diabetes control, preventing kidney stones, reducing cholesterol and blood clots, etc. It also helps with digestion, osteoporosis, bone health, and hypertension. This blog will discuss 10 health benefits of beer.

Furthermore, beer is high in vitamins that help maintain hemoglobin and treat anemia. It also protects the heart and helps to prevent various cardiovascular diseases.

Beer is a brewed malted barley and sometimes made of wheat or maise. It is an end product of fermented starch and sugar during the brewing process. It is also known as liquid bread and is regarded as a food rather than a beverage. A moderate amount of 1 drink for women and 2 for men daily is considered beneficial for overall health.

Although excessive beer consumption may have adverse health consequences. They include blood sugar imbalances, alcohol dependence, depression, liver problems, cancer, or early death.

Nutritional Values Of Beer

One standard bottle has the following nutritional value:

This table represents several nutrients and their amounts present in Beer:

Nutritional Value of Beer
Nutrients (in Beer) Its amount
Calories 153
Protein 1.6 grams
Fat 0 grams
Carbs 13 grams
Niacin 9% of the daily value (DV)
Riboflavin 7% of the DV
Choline 7% of the DV
Folate 5% of the DV
Magnesium 5% of the DV
Selenium 4% of the DV
Vitamin B12 3% of the DV
Pantothenic Acid 3% of the DV
Alcohol 13.9gm

Furthermore, it also contains trace amounts of zinc, calcium, iron, and potassium. However, it has all these minerals and vitamins. But to meet your daily needs, you need to drink it in an excess amount, which is hazardous to your health.

Read More: Health Benefits of Ber/Jujube

Glycemic Index of Beer

The glycemic index (GI) of beer is high, between 80-100. In addition, the glycemic load of beer is as low as 7.5 because beer has low carbohydrate content.

Health Benefits of Beer

Health Benefits of Beer

Low to moderate quantities can have multiple health benefits. It has low carbohydrates and low GL which is good for diabetes and heart health. The right amount of intake can help prevent and treat multiple health conditions ranging from cancer to hair dandruff. There are numerous brands available in the market to suit everyone’s preferences. Let’s read about the health benefits of beer.

Prevents Cancer

It helps in preventing cancer if consumed in a moderate amount. It has polyphenols to fight against various cancers. In addition, there is a compound named Xanthohumol, a flavonoid also used while brewing, which works towards cancer prevention, especially prostate cancer.

Good for Heart Health

According to many studies, moderate intake helps prevent various cardiovascular diseases. It improves good cholesterol HDL in the blood and helps the body to reduce cholesterol. In addition, the homocysteine in the beverage helps in thinning blood and removes the clots from the coronary arteries. An adequate amount also reduces inflammation and lowers the risk of atherosclerosis. All these positive effects work with an adequate amount of consumption. Overconsumption can increase the chances of stroke and heart disease.

Prevents Kidney Stones

This alcoholic beverage is very effective in kidney stones. It has a high water content that removes all the toxins from the body, thus helping the kidneys to work properly. A moderate amount of beer can also slow down the calcium release from bones and benefit it by preventing the formation of kidney stones.

Read More: Multigrain Atta For Diabetes

Makes Bones Stronger

As per many studies, it was found that beer helps in increasing bone density and bone formation, especially in men and postmenopausal women. Its nutritional components, including silicon, aid in the prevention of osteoporosis and the strengthening of bone health. People who drink beer have lower chances of fractures than those who do not.

Helps in Anemia

This beverage has good nutritional components like Vitamin B12 and folic acid. They both help to treat anemia caused by the deficiency of these two compounds. It also aids in growth, brain power, and memory.

Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Beta-glucans, a soluble fiber, are found in barley used to make beer. It reduces cholesterol in the blood.

Helps Brain for Proper Functioning

It is one of the most notable advantages of this drink. It improves brain power and functioning by reducing cholesterol and increasing blood supply to the brain. As per studies, people who drink beer have a 23% lesser risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory loss. It can be because of the silicon that prevents the brain from harmful aluminum present in the body.

Read More: How Safe is Coconut Milk For Diabetics?

Good for Teeth, Skin, and Hair Health

It reduces tooth decay and other teeth problems by reducing bacterial formation in the mouth. It blocks bacterial growth and strengthens the teeth.

In addition, it is rich in Vitamin E which is gold for the skin. It also slows the process of aging and gives glowing skin.

It has yeast and Vitamin B that helps to get rid of dandruff and make hair smooth and shiny. There are multiple beer shampoos available in the market because of their impact on hair health.

Good for Digestion

The presence of soluble fibers in it helps in digestion. It has prebiotics that helps to grow good bacteria in the gut and improves digestion.

Prevents Prostate Issues

Another potential benefit of beer, particularly for men, is its potential to reduce the risk of developing prostate issues. Compounds present in hops, such as phytoestrogens, have been studied for their potential to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which is associated with prostate enlargement.

Some research suggests that moderate beer consumption might help in reducing the risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in aging men that causes an enlarged prostate gland, leading to the urinary problem.

Read More: Can Diabetics Eat Jaggery?

Ways to Consume Beer

These health benefits only work with low to moderate consumption of it. Excess consumption has lethal and adverse effects on health. As per research, it is advisable to have one drink for women and two drinks for men every day for better results. It does not fulfil your daily nutritional requirements, so having a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables is a good source of all nutrition.

Read More: Is Garlic Good For Diabetes?

Side Effects of Beer

Side Effects of Beer

A moderate beer intake may have multiple health benefits, but it also comes with severe health issues if not done in moderation. Here are certain side effects of beer that people should be aware of:

  • Heavy drinking can cause the risk of early death and can be lethal.
  • It can make you addicted and alcohol dependent.
  • Binge drinking can cause liver failure or cirrhosis because of the alcohol content.
  • Excess consumption can negatively impact blood sugar levels.
  • It can increase your weight or can be the reason for your belly fat. It can make you fat. One drink (355ml) contains 153 calories.
  • It also triggers depression. The high consumption can lead to depression as compared to moderate drinkers.
  • It is a diuretic that can lead to dehydration through urine and sweat on a hot day.
  • Some people also can have heartburn because of the consumption due to some stimulants in it. These stimulants react with gastric acid and lead to gastric reflexes.
  • Some research suggests that high intake can lead to cancers, especially throat and mouth cancer.
  • It also has gluten protein that can be harmful to gluten-allergic people.

Can Diabetics Drink Beer?

Beer has a high GI and carbohydrate content, which may cause your blood sugar to rise. It can also make you gain weight because it increases your appetite. It can also cause hypoglycemia. Although it is believed that moderate beer consumption does not raise blood sugar levels, we still recommend avoiding beer consumption. You can replace beer with other fruits and vegetables that provide the same nutrients while not raising your blood sugar levels.

Read More: Is Dalia Good for Diabetics?

Conclusion

A moderate amount of beer has various health benefits because of its nutritional value. It has protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are good for heart, bone health, diabetes, and kidney and brain functions. On the other hand, heavy drinking can be more harmful than beneficial and can lead to death. It can also lead to an addiction that eventually increases the risk of multiple health conditions.
Alcohol always has more negative sides than positive. You also can have these nutrients from other dietary options, fruits, and vegetables.

Read More: Is Banana Good For Diabetics?

FAQs:

Which is good, beer or wine?

Beer has many nutrients like Vitamin B, niacin, folate, selenium, fiber, and protein compared to wine. Also, it is a good option for managing sugar levels and avoiding the risk of heart diseases. 

Being a diabetic, how many beers can I drink in a day?

As per American Diabetes Association, one drink for women and two drinks for men is advisable for diabetic people. One drink size is 12 ounces.

Can beer increase blood glucose?

Beer has a good amount of carbohydrates that can increase your blood glucose levels but one can have it in a moderate amount. Also, like other alcohols, it increases appetite which is bad for weight loss and calorie cuts. 

Last Updated on by Dr. Damanjit Duggal 

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