Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
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Beer is an alcoholic drink made by brewing and fermenting cereal grains like malted barley, which are then flavored with hops. For years, it has been a popular alcoholic beverage among people worldwide.
People have extensively argued whether beer is good or bad for health. Let’s look at the downside and upsides of drinking beer in this article.
Like other alcoholic beverages, drinking beer excessively can have harmful effects. Alcohol is associated with various health concerns, including liver disease, depression, and addiction.1
According to the NIAAA, this is what falls under excessive drinking:
| BAC | Male | Female | |
| Binge drinking | 0.08% | 5 or more drinks in two hours | 4 or more drinks in two hours |
| Heavy drinking | 0.08% | 14 drinks in a week | 7 drinks in a week |
Here are four health risks of drinking beer:
Research has directly linked alcohol consumption to liver disease mortality.3 Consuming alcoholic drinks, such as beer, can predispose one to liver diseases such as cirrhosis.
The severity of alcohol-induced liver disease typically depends on factors like the pattern, amount, and duration of alcohol consumption and other factors like nutrition and genetics.
If you drink beer excessively, you have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Alcohol can cause an increase in estrogen and other hormones linked to breast cancer.2 The empty calories can also cause weight gain, increasing the risk of obesity and 13 kinds of cancer.10
Depression is a mental health disorder. In 2020, it affected an estimated 21 million adults in the US.11
Studies have suggested that heavy beer drinkers or binge drinkers have an increased risk of depression than non-drinkers and moderate drinkers.4 It can also predispose them to anxiety.
Research has shown that heavy drinking or binge drinking can cause weight gain and an increased risk of obesity.9
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), other downsides of excessive beer consumption include:
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Scientists and physicians advise against excessive alcohol consumption due to its health risks. However, moderate consumption can provide surprising health benefits.7,8
The benefits of moderate beer consumption include:
Despite these health benefits, remember that most alcohol-related studies show correlation and not causation. In other words, it isn’t definite that alcohol is essential to achieve the abovementioned benefits.
However, some strong evidence, such as an increase in HDL, points towards its benefit to heart health. The key is to focus on moderation, as excessive intake will harm your health.12
Health experts advise that people drink beer in moderation, which means:
You are drinking too much beer if you have more than this number of drinks in a day.
Liquid calories are easy to overconsume because it takes a while to feel full. The calories can add up quickly when drinking beer, leading to a beer belly and, generally, weight gain.
If you want to avoid a beer belly, consider choosing a light beer with around 64 to 110 calories. Remember that alcohol makes you hungry and lowers your inhibitions, so you may eat more than you planned when drinking.
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People who consume beer and other alcoholic beverages excessively may have a drinking problem. They could show symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and might need healthcare.
Symptoms of AUD include:
Physical symptoms of AUD include:
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Professional help is available for people suffering from alcohol misuse and addiction. Depending on the addiction case, a person will receive inpatient, outpatient treatment, or both.
Your treatment might involve any of the following options:
Beer can be bad for you if consumed in excess. Too much beer can lead to a beer belly and other health issues associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
If you’re concerned about your drinking habits, seek professional help immediately. Various treatment options are available to help manage AUD and support your recovery journey.
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