If your idea of relaxing at the end of the day includes drinking a beer a day, you’re not alone. According to data communicated by Assobirra, in 2022 the per capita consumption in Italy was 37.8 liters / year, with the peak of 61.7 liters per year in Sardinia. After all, beer is an alcoholic drink that is easily available and above all with a low percentage of ABV (Alcohol By Volume”), i.e. the quantity by volume of the ethanol content present in beer, corresponding to the alcohol content expressed in Italy with the symbol % vol ..
A beer a day, that’s what happens to your body
However even though many beers are under 5% ABV, and in general almost all beers have ABV numbers that make drinking beer seem like a better option than other alcoholic beverages, it is important to note that drinking a beer every day can impact your overall health, both immediate and long-term.
Nutritional information on beer
According to the USDA, a regular (355 mL) can of beer contains:
Calorie: 153
Protein: 2 g
Total Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 13 g
Fiber: 0 g
Sugars: 0 g
Alcohol: 14 g
Niacin: 2 mg
Riboflavin: <1 mg
Colina: 36 mg
Folate: 21 mcg
Magnesio: 21 mg
Phosphorus: 50 mg
Selenium: 2 mcg
Vitamina B12: <1 mcg
What happens when you drink beer on a daily basis
But what happens when you drink beer every day, for example at lunch or as an aperitif at the end of the day, especially in the warmer seasons?
It could help bone density
According to a 2021 review published in Nutrients, drinking beer was linked to increased bone mineral density for both men and women, and drinking one beer per week was associated with a lower risk of hip fracture. However, more research needs to be done to support this and evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the disadvantages of drinking beer.
READ ALSO: How beer protects against osteoporosis
It may disturb your sleep
While drinking beer, as well as other types of alcohol, is popularly known to make the consumer feel relaxed and experience feelings of euphoria, alcohol intoxication can affect long-term brain health.
The alcohol in beer can affect the brain so that reflexes are slowed, and balance, memory and sleep can be affected. Alcohol can affect the brain’s communication pathway and even affect the brain’s ability to process information.
Sleep may also be affected if you consume a small amount of alcohol during the day. A 2018 study published in JMIR Mental Health compared the sleep quality of participants who consumed different amounts of alcohol and found that even light drinkers (who drink two or fewer servings for men, one or less for women) they experienced a 9.3% decrease in sleep quality. When you consume alcohol, your liver goes into action to metabolize the alcohol, which can result in a restless night’s sleep.
READ ALSO: 11 reasons why drinking beer is good for you
It compromises the weight loss process
Every time you drink beer, it goes directly to your liver. The body does not have the ability to store alcohol, as it recognizes it as a toxin. It is then prioritized by the liver to be used for energy. When consumed, alcohol goes “to the front,” because the liver is prioritizing removal of that toxin first. So, if you are trying to lose weight, since alcohol is a priority, it can slow down the entire fat burning process.
The liver’s job is to filter circulating blood and destroy toxic substances, including alcohol. The liver can handle a certain amount of alcohol, but as a person continues to drink, it can become stressed to the point of causing permanent damage.
READ ALSO: Beer, wine, cocktails: what makes you gain weight more?
It may cause digestive problems
Alcohol is first broken down in the stomach, promoting an increase in digestive juices but alcohol also irritates the small intestine and colon where it is further broken down and absorbed, and can also affect the normal rate at which food moves through them, which can result in abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea.
When consumed in large quantities, alcohol can cause intestinal inflammation and lead to problems within the gastrointestinal tract and liver, according to a 2017 publication in Alcohol Research. Alcohol can negatively alter the bacteria in your gut and permeate the lining of your intestines (leaky gut syndrome), making your body even more susceptible to alcohol-related diseases, including alcoholic fatty liver.
Contradictorily, some research, such as a 2020 study in Molecules, suggests that due to beer’s fermented compounds, this alcoholic beverage, in particular, could potentially benefit your gut health.
READ ALSO: 5 things not to drink before a workout
It could dehydrate you
The alcohol in beer can lead to dehydration. The kidney is responsible for regulating fluids and electrolytes, and alcohol can disrupt hormones that affect kidney function, which can affect the kidneys and the body’s ability to regulate fluids and electrolytes. It also disrupts hormones that affect kidney function.
However, a study published in 2017 in Nutrients found that when drinking a moderate amount of low-alcohol beverages, such as beer, the diuretic effect of this beverage was not as strong as other alcoholic beverages such as wine and spirits. So, if you drink beer in moderation and make sure to also drink water throughout the day, this can help you avoid dehydration.
It can increase the risk of chronic diseases
Limiting the amount you drink is really important when it comes to taking care of your long-term health, especially when it comes to reducing the risk of several chronic diseases.
Although a small 2018 study published in Nutrients found some connections between moderate drinking and improved heart health due to alcohol’s potential ability to decrease HDL (“good”) cholesterol, a 2022 systematic review published in The American Journal of Medicine concluded that many observational studies may have overestimated the benefits of alcohol consumption, primarily wine, on cardiovascular health, failing to consider other factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic associations with wine consumption.
Furthermore, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure and even cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle.
In addition to heart health risks, the CDC also says that drinking alcohol has been linked to increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as mouth and throat, larynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, liver and breast cancer for women . The American Cancer Society says alcohol consumption accounts for 6% of all cancers and 4% of cancer deaths in the United States.
READ ALSO: The mental mechanism underlying alcoholism
Conclusion
Beer is among the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world. Some research has associated its consumption with benefits such as increased bone density, improved intestinal health and better lipid levels.
However, alcohol consumption, especially binge and heavy drinking, can have a negative impact on your health, increasing your risk of certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and premature death.
The question is: do the benefits outweigh the risks? Regardless of the answer, it’s important to consume alcohol in moderation and responsibly, following health centers guidelines to limit daily intake to two drinks or less for men and one drink or less for women.
READ ALSO: Is beer really the best supplement after sport?
Photo by BENCE BOROS / Wil Stewart / Gerrie van der Walt / Josh Olalde
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2024-03-22 13:51:50
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