Let’s discuss alcohol. The most popular drink is beer. Beer is the most commonly consumed liquor. Part of this is its low alcohol content compared to other stiff drinks and its many health benefits. The health benefits of beer include preventing cancer, controlling diabetes, preventing kidney stones, reducing cholesterol and blood clots, etc. It also helps regulate digestion, osteoporosis, bone health, and high blood pressure.

But even after so many health benefits, can diabetic patients drink beer? Is beer good for diabetes? Let us know in this blog the health benefits of beer and how much beer can be consumed by sugar patients.

To say it is an alcoholic drink, but it has many such benefits, which are essential for many parts of the body. Beer is rich in vitamins that help maintain hemoglobin and treat anemia. It helps in protecting the heart and preventing many heart diseases.

Beer is made from barley, wheat or corn. Beer is the end product of the brewing process of fermented starch and sugar. Do you know that it is considered food instead of drink and is also called “liquid bread”? Talking about a safe and healthy amount, a moderate amount of 1 drink daily for women and two drinks for men is considered beneficial for health.

However, consuming too much beer can have adverse health effects. They include uncontrolled blood sugar levels, alcohol dependence or addiction, depression, liver problems, kidney problems, cancer, or early death. So even though it has many health benefits, before drinking it, take complete information about your health, issues, lifestyle, quantity of beer etc. It is not safe for everyone.

Nutritional Value of Beer

A standard bottle contains many nutrients that have different health benefits. Here are the various nutrients present in beer and their quantity:

Apart from this, it also contains trace amounts of zinc, calcium, iron and potassium. Although it has all these minerals and vitamins, to meet your daily requirements, you would need to consume it in large quantities, which is dangerous for your health. You should adopt healthy food like fruits and vegetables to get these nutrients.

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Glycemic Index of Beer

Beer has a high glycemic index which is around 100. Also, the glycemic load of beer is very low at 7.5 because of the low carbohydrate content in beer. That’s why sugar patients have to take care before drinking it. The amount and your glycemic control will determine whether you should drink beer or not.

Beer and Diabetes

If someone has diabetes, their body cells become resistant towards insulin hormones. These cells stop using glucose received from food and let it be released into the bloodstream. This is known as high blood sugar levels in the body, and the condition refers to hyperglycemia which can harm various organs and tissues.

When it comes to alcohol consumption, has the ability to trigger the condition of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a low blood sugar condition, so be watchful when drinking any liquor or beer. When you drink alcohol, your liver must first clean the alcohol from your system. Your liver is entitled to store glucose in the body, so this cleansing process puts extra work on the liver.

When it comes to beer, it is safe to drink beer but in a moderate amount. Any kind of alcohol has an adverse effect on your health, so be aware. Drinking beer or any alcohol within limit can mitigate the risks of imbalanced blood sugar levels and other health risks.

Alcohol, including beer, can cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels. If you are on diabetes medication or insulin, then consuming beer can have fatal results. It can cause hypoglycemia, which can be a non-manageable situation. So know your limits as per your physiological status and glycemic control.

According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the limit of daily alcohol for women is one drink a day, and for males, two drinks a day.

This way, one can have beer benefits without many of its side effects. You can consult your doctor if you experience dizziness, feeling sleepy or confused. These are some symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Although we do not suggest beer consumption to gain certain health benefits, unlike beer, there are multiple healthy substitutes and options like fruits, nuts, salads, vegetables, etc., to attain those health benefits without any adverse consequences and sugar spikes.

Read More: What are the Glycemic Index and ways to calculate the Gi Value of Food Items?

Health Benefits of Beer

Beer can have many health benefits when consumed in small to moderate amounts. 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 a number of health conditions, from cancer to dandruff. There are many brands available in the market to suit everyone’s choice. Let’s read about the health benefits of beer:

Protects against Cancer

If consumed in moderate or limited quantities, it helps in preventing cancer. It contains polyphenols to fight against various cancers. In addition, it contains a compound called xanthohumol, which is a flavonoid and is also used in winemaking. It helps in the prevention of cancer, especially protection against prostate cancer.

Read More: Is Rice Good For Diabetes?

Good for Heart Health

According to several studies, moderate beer consumption helps prevent various heart diseases. It improves the good cholesterol HDL in the blood and helps the body reduce bad LDL cholesterol. In addition, it helps in homocysteine ​​blood thinner, which removes clots from the coronary arteries. The right amount of it reduces inflammation and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. All these positive effects are available only when you take them in a limited and right amount. Its excessive consumption can increase the chances of stroke and heart disease.

Prevents Kidney Stones

Most people know that it is very effective in kidney stones. It has high water content, which flushes out all the toxins from the body, which helps in the proper functioning of the kidney. A moderate amount of beer can slow down the release of calcium from the bones and prevent the formation of kidney stones.

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Strengthens Bones Health

According to several studies, it has been found that it 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 are less likely to have fractures than people who don’t drink.

Helps with Anemia

This drink contains good nutrients like Vitamin B12 and folic acid. They both help in treating anemia caused due to the deficiency of these two compounds. It also helps in increasing growth, brain power and memory.

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Lowers Cholesterol Levels

The soluble fibre beta-glucans are found in the barley used to make beer. It lowers cholesterol in the blood, which helps in preventing many health problems.

Helps the Brain Function Properly

This is one of the best benefits of this drink. It improves brain power and function by reducing cholesterol and increasing blood supply to the brain. According to studies, people who drink beer have a 23% lower risk of developing diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia or memory loss. This may be due to the silicon that protects the brain from the harmful aluminium present in the body.

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Good for Teeth, Skin and Hair Health

It reduces tooth decay and other dental problems by reducing the build-up of bacteria in the mouth. It inhibits the growth of bacteria and strengthens the teeth.

Also, it is rich in Vitamin E, which is very beneficial for the skin. It also slows down the aging process and brings a glow to the skin.

It contains yeast and vitamin B, which helps in getting rid of dandruff and makes hair smooth and shiny. Many beer shampoos are available in the market because of their effect on hair health.

Good for Digestion

The presence of soluble fibre in it helps in digestion. It contains prebiotics that help grow good gut bacteria and improve digestion.

Read More: Top 6 Dry Fruits For Diabetics.

Ways to Drink Beer

The health benefits of beer only work when consumed in low to moderate amounts. Its excessive consumption has fatal and adverse effects on health. As per research, it is recommended to have one drink for women and two for men every day for better results. It does not meet your daily nutritional needs, so eating a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables is a good source of getting all the nutrition you need.

Read More: Are Sugar-Free Biscuits Safe for Diabetics?

Side Effects of Beer

Beer is, after all, an alcohol, so it has disadvantages. While a moderate intake can provide many health benefits, excessive consumption has many disadvantages and side effects.

• Drinking too much alcohol can lead to early death and can be fatal.
• It can make you addicted and dependent on alcohol.
• Regular and excessive drinking can lead to liver failure or cirrhosis.
• If consumed in excess, it can have a negative effect on blood sugar levels.
• It may increase your weight or maybe the reason for your belly fat. One drink (355 ml) contains 153 calories which can increase obesity.
• It also triggers depression. It can cause depression when consumed in excess.
• It is a diuretic that can dehydrate the body by sweating in the summer.
• Some people may also have heartburn due to the consumption of some stimulants. These stimuli react with gastric acid and cause gastric reflexes.
• Some research suggests that excessive consumption of it can lead to cancer, especially throat and mouth cancer.
• It also contains gluten protein, which can be harmful to gluten-allergic people.

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Can Diabetics Drink Beer?

Beer has a high GI and carbohydrate content, which can cause your blood sugar to spike. It can also make you gain weight as it increases your appetite. This can also lead to hypoglycemia. Though it is believed that moderate consumption of beer does not increase blood sugar levels, we still suggest that you avoid the consumption of beer. Substitute beer with fruits and vegetables that provide the same nutrients without increasing your blood sugar levels.

Read More: Normal Blood Sugar Level for Adults Agewise.

Conclusion

Beer has various health benefits when consumed in moderation due to its nutritional value. It contains protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals that are good for heart, bone health, diabetes, and kidney and brain function. On the other hand, drinking too much alcohol can be more harmful than beneficial and can even lead to death.

It is an addiction that ultimately increases the risk of many health conditions.

Alcohol always has more negative sides than positive ones. You can also get these nutrients from other dietary choices, fruits and vegetables. So we suggest you have a diabetic-friendly diet, follow a fitness regime and adopt a healthy lifestyle to manage your blood sugar levels and lead a healthy life with healthy choices.

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