Are There Health Benefits? Pros and Cons, Nutrition Information, and More

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD, LD on November 17, 2022

In this Article

• Nutrition Information
• Potential Health Benefits of Beer
• Potential Risks of Beer

from the WebMD Ingredients Guide

Serving Size 12 Fluid ounce (354 g)

Calories 103

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 0 g

0%

Saturated Fat 0 g

0%

Trans Fat 0 g

Cholesterol 0 mg

0%

Sodium 14 mg

1%

Potassium 0 mg

0%

Total Carbohydrate 6 g

2%

Dietary Fiber 0 g

0%

Sugar 0 g

Protein 1 g

2%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

• Vitamin C 0%
• Iron 0%
• Vitamin B6 0%
• Magnesium 0%
• Calcium 1%
• Vitamin D 0%
• Cobalamin 0%
• Vitamin A 0%

Beer is one of the oldest beverages in the world. Beer recipes can be found in Egyptian tombs, Mesopotamian archeological sites, and Babylonian texts. Today, beer is found in grocery stores and breweries around the world. People are even rediscovering the joy of making beer at home. 

Beer is easy enough to make, after all. It’s the product of fermenting grain into alcohol. It may have even been one of the first inventions after the Agricultural Revolution. 

Beer has been important in human culture for thousands of years. It’s no wonder some people proclaim that it has health benefits. While science can support some of these claims, beer also has drawbacks.

One can of beer (about 12 ounces) contains:

• Calories: 153
• Protein: 2 grams
• Fat: Less than 1 gram
• Carbohydrates: 13 grams
• Fiber: Less than 1 gram
• Sugar: Less than 1 gram

Beer is an excellent source of:

• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Niacin
• Folate

Depending on the color, some beers are also good sources of antioxidants. The darker the beer, the more  antioxidants it tends to have. Antioxidants fight free radicals in your body, reducing the risk of chronic conditions and certain forms of cancer.

As mentioned, beer is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and some also contain antioxidants. Research supports a number of potential health benefits to drinking moderate amounts of beer:

Lower Risk of Heart Disease 

Several reviews have suggested that consuming one to two beers a day may help lower your risk of heart disease. In fact, beer may be as effective at improving general heart health as wine at comparable alcohol levels.

One study showed that one drink a day lowered the risk of all-cause mortality for women and up to two beers a day produced the same results for men. While one study  is not enough to identify the cause for this, research is promising.

Improved Blood Sugar Levels

Drinking light amounts of alcohol may help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and help people with diabetes control their blood sugar more effectively. One study showed that one to two alcoholic drinks a day could lower the risk of developing diabetes by as much as 50%.

This effect is strongest for low-sugar beers, such as light beers, so pay attention to the type of beer you drink.

Increased Bone Strength

Early research suggests that moderate amounts of beer may help strengthen bones for men and postmenopausal women. This may be because alcohol in general, in moderate amounts, can help your bones. But this benefit sharply drops when consumption passes two drinks a day, so moderation is key.

The same aspects that make beer so potent can also cause health problems for people. Once beer consumption is heavy, over two drinks per day, it carries many potential risks.

Consider the following before adding significant amounts of beer to your diet:

Potential for Addiction

All alcohol carries the potential for dependency. Alcohol is an addictive substance, so people with a family history of addiction should be cautious with drinking beer or any other alcohol. Furthermore, heavy drinking eliminates most health benefits of beer, making addiction a double-edged sword. 

Reduced Life Expectancy

Heavy consumption significantly increases your risk of death from all causes. Studies show that heavy drinking reduces life expectancy by up to 28 years. 

Increased Risk of Liver Disease

Drinking more than two beers a day can increase chances of developing fatty liver disease, or cirrhosis.

Weight Gain

Many beers are high in calories, so drinking large amounts frequently can lead to substantial weight gain. “Beer belly” is a common term to describe someone who has extra weight around their waist. Studies have confirmed that drinking beer increases waist circumference.

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Is beer healthy? How much should people drink? What to know

Beer may have certain health benefits, such as decreasing the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. However, excessive consumption can lead to conditions such as cancer, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease.

Manufacturers make beer by fermenting starches, usually malted barley, with yeast. The brewing process of modern beer involves using hops and other flavoring agents and typically contains about 3.5–10% alcohol.

While beer may have some health benefits, it can also negatively affect a person’s mental and physical health. Additionally, while this beverage contains some nutritional value, it is not suitable as an alternative to a nutritious, balanced diet.

Read this article to learn more about beer’s nutritional information, the benefits and side effects of drinking beer, and the recommended amount a person should drink.

Although people view beer as a drink with little nutritional value, it does contain various nutrients.

The minerals within beer typically include:

• calcium
• copper
• iron
• magnesium
• manganese
• silicon
• selenium
• fluoride
• phosphorus
• potassium
• sodium
• zinc

The vitamins within beer usually include:

• vitamin B1, or thiamin
• vitamin B2, or riboflavin
• vitamin B3, or niacin
• vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid
• vitamin B6
• folate
• choline
• vitamin B12, or cobalamine
• vitamin A
• vitamin E
• vitamin D
• vitamin K

Beer also contains the following amino acids:

• alanine
• aspartic acid
• glutamic acid
• glycine
• proline

Despite its reputation, light to moderate beer consumption may have positive health effects. It may even reduce the risk of some diseases.

Heart disease

Some research suggests that drinking beer may help decrease the risk of heart disease.

A recent review article from 2020 concludes that people who consume beer in moderate amounts have higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol — or “good” cholesterol, better vascular elasticity, and higher apolipoprotein A1 levels.

Another 2016 review article found that low to moderate beer consumption, which it defined as up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men, decreased the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The researchers for both studies defined low to moderate amounts as up to one can of 330 milliliters of beer containing around 5% alcohol daily for women and up to two cans for men.

Neurodegenerative disease

The same review article found that low to moderate beer consumption decreased the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Another review from 2019 claims that moderate beer consumption may help decrease the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Blood sugar control

Some studies show how low to moderate alcohol consumption may help control blood sugar levels, an issue for many adults.

For example, a 2018 study concludes that low to moderate alcohol consumption has associations with better blood sugar levels and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Another study from 2019 concludes that moderate alcohol consumption may decrease the risk of developing dementia.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes the bones to become brittle and more susceptible to breaks. The risk for this disease increases as a person ages.

Some research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may help decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

For example, a 2019 study found that postmenopausal women from South Korea who drank 2–3 times per week had higher bone density than South Korean postmenopausal women who did not drink.

However, it is important to note that to achieve any of the potential positive side effects of drinking beer or alcohol, people must do so responsibly. This means drinking low to moderate amounts and not engaging in excessive drinking.

Although drinking beer may have some positive health outcomes, this only appears relevant when people drink the beverage in light or moderate amounts.

Heavy or excessive drinking may lead to negative health consequences, including:

• cancer
• liver failure
• cardiovascular disease
• diabetes
• pancreatic disease
• infectious diseases
• neuropsychiatric diseases
• weight gain
• depression

People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol may also be more likely to engage in risky behavior, potentially leading to major bodily injury or death.

The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americanssuggest consuming a moderate amount of alcohol. The authors define this as 1 drink for women and 1 drink for men. In beer, one drink consists of 12 ounces of this beverage.

Drinking more than recommended guidelines may result in negative health outcomes.

Recommendations on drinking beer appear to be inconclusive. However, it seems people can safely consume beer as long as they do not do so excessively. Individuals should try not to drink more than the recommended amount.

Even though beer contains a variety of nutrients, people should not turn to beer for its nutritional value. Eating a diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins should be more of a priority.

Beer is a fermented beverage that people have been consuming for years.

Light to moderate amounts of beer may help decrease the risk of diseases such as heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and type 2 diabetes.

While there appears to be some benefit to drinking beer, it is not a beverage that individuals should consume excessively. Heavy or excessive drinking may lead to numerous negative health effects.

Beer contains many nutrients, but people should not consume it as a way to increase nutrient intake. Instead, they should focus on following a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Beer: benefits and harms for the body, how much beer can be drunk without harm to health – 11 July 2022

Oksana Laryushkina

Vladislav Ledovsky, head of the project group of the medical faculty of the Synergy University, reports.

The doctor told what will happen to the body if you drink every weekend

Harm of beer for the human body but it is not. Modern medicine has come to the conclusion that any dose of alcohol is harmful to the human body. The difference is that some doses of alcohol are high-risk, while others are low-risk: in medicine they are measured in drinks.

One drink is a standard unit of alcohol that is equal to approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol or one bottle of beer. According to this logic, a woman can drink one bottle of beer every day, and a man two bottles. But this carries the risk of developing cardiovascular, oncological and other diseases, and also leads to a decrease in life expectancy. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of death, including as a result of the social consequences of intoxication: road accidents, fights, trauma.

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Many consider beer to be a harmless drink, but at the same time it negatively affects the physical and mental health of a person. Frequent drinking of beer can affect the emotional background of a person: he feels anxiety and aggression, becomes easily excitable, quick-tempered, then such a mood sharply becomes apathetic. Among the physiological disorders that provokes the constant use of beer:

• disruption of the heart, liver, kidneys, blood vessels;
• dehydration;
• disturbances in the functioning of the brain, impairment of memory and coordination of movements, decrease in intellectual abilities;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: heartburn, flatulence, gastritis, gastric ulcer;
• The most common danger of frequent drinking is beer alcoholism and weight gain.

Benefits of beer

You can find references to the benefits of beer and other alcoholic beverages on the Internet. This benefit, if it really exists, pales before the harm that drinking beer can bring. Doctors agree that if a person cannot completely stop drinking alcohol, he should limit himself to one drink for women and two drinks for men per day.

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Among the beneficial properties of beer, some doctors mention:

• the drink removes aluminum compounds from the body;
• lowers blood pressure;
• people who drink in moderation are about 41% less likely to suffer from kidney stones;
• Beer is considered a diuretic drink, but at the same time, a large amount of microelements leaves the body with it, which creates their deficiency.

Norm of beer consumption

According to doctors, the acceptable norm for men is no more than 0.5 liters per day and no more than 3-5 times a week. For women: no more than 0.3 liters per day and no more than 2-3 times a week. This applies to beer, with a strength of no more than 3-5%.

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Who is contraindicated for beer

Beer, like any alcohol, is completely contraindicated for:

• pregnant women;
• young people under 21;
• those undergoing treatment for drug and alcohol addiction;
• those who take medications. Many drugs interact with alcohol: it can increase or decrease the effect of the effect. When visiting a doctor, you should clarify how the drugs that they are prescribed interact with alcohol.

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researchers talk about the benefits of beer for the body – Pivo.by

Lisa Morrison on the Craft Beer website talks about the health benefits of beer, provided that it is consumed reasonably and in moderation. Pivo.by publishes the translation of the material.

Photo: Elevate

At the end of a long and tiring day, nothing tastes better than a glass or two of refreshing craft beer. However, a recent study shows that the healthy amount of its consumption is only five glasses per week. Considering that 14 glasses per week for men and seven for women have so far been considered the recommended safe limit for alcohol consumption, the results of the latest study may cause some concern and a logical question: what is considered moderate consumption of beer and how useful is it in principle?

Good news: scientists do not deny the beneficial effect of beer on our body. Below is a summary of the health benefits of beer when consumed wisely and in moderation.

Beer and brain activity

If you think that after a glass of gose you feel much better, you are absolutely right. Many studies support the notion that beer (and, in principle, all alcoholic beverages) helps to relax after a grueling day. But we ourselves know this!

The benefits of beer, however, are not only about uplifting the spirit and improving overall well-being. Studies show that beer, more than wine and other alcoholic beverages, has a beneficial effect on our brain activity.

This effect is explained by the fact that beer contains dietary silicon in an easily digestible form. High levels of silicon in grains, green beans, and beer (due to malt) help protect our brains from certain substances and compounds that experts say can lead to cognitive decline over time, according to a 2013 study. . In addition, the results of a Chinese study show that a substance called xanthohumol, contained in hops, can protect neurons from destruction, preventing the subsequent development of diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

In addition, beer stimulates our intellectual abilities, creativity and resourcefulness. In the study, published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, the researchers asked subjects to solve a series of puzzles and brain teasers, with one group being asked to drink a beer before the tasks began. The subjects who drank the beer completed the tasks faster than their sober opponents. In addition, it was found that the probability of finding a non-standard solution after drinking beer increases by almost 30%.

Beer and the skeletal system

Another word for silicon, which is found in beer but not found in wine and other alcoholic beverages. According to a scientific review published in the International Journal of Endocrinology, beer is a source of silicon, which is one of the building blocks of bone tissue.

According to a study that mentions beer, grains and green beans, eating foods rich in silicon plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women when bone loss occurs.

Speaking of physiological “changes”, it should be noted that the hops used to make beer contain high amounts of phytoestrogens. It is believed that being a natural source of estrogen, the female sex hormone, they are able to help the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity cope with the irreversible changes that occur in their body after menopause.

Beer and the Cardiovascular System

Red wine has long been a health favorite because of its beneficial effect on the heart. From 19In the 80s, all nutritionists and doctors vied with each other about wine, in particular red, as a panacea for our cardiovascular system. Thanks to the so-called French Paradox (a term that refers to the comparatively low rate of cardiovascular disease among French people in conditions of high cholesterol and saturated fat in their diet), it is believed that moderate wine consumption is directly associated with a low risk of heart attack, stroke or death from heart disease, although in fact it’s all about PR support, which wine will be much more effective than beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Further scientific work, including a study published in the American Journal of Medicine, has shown that the low incidence of cardiovascular disease is due to the beneficial effects of ethanol present in beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages. In addition, the authors of this publication state that “From a nutritional point of view, beer contains more protein and B vitamins than wine.” More benefits? This is worth a drink!

The 2016 American Heart Association Scientific Session presented results from a preliminary six-year study of 80,000 subjects showing that moderate alcohol consumption results in higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, in the body and therefore a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The study also showed that men who had a heart attack and consumed beer in moderation (no more than two glasses a day) were 42% less likely to die from heart disease.

Published results of a 2012 study show that the ethanol found in beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages contributes to the destruction of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of arteries and vessels, thereby preventing the development of a heart attack. The case when another sip of craft beer can be safely “taken to heart”.

Drew Beamer

Beer and vision

Putting aside the joke about the drunk look, remember: drinking a glass of beer a day, you will forget about visits to the optometrist. Canadian scientists have found that daily consumption of beer – especially stout or other dark varieties – reduces the likelihood of developing cataracts by 50%. But there is one point to consider here. Drinking three or more servings of beer a day has the exact opposite effect – it increases the risk of cataract formation.

Beer and disease prevention

Numerous studies have linked moderate beer consumption to effective disease prevention. In other words, if you are sick – get treatment, if you are healthy – drink beer. Here are some of the results:

Finnish scientists found that beer prevents the formation of kidney stones. In the course of the study, they concluded that “beer consumption is inversely related to the risk of stones: for each bottle of beer drunk per day, the likelihood of their occurrence decreases by 40%.