One of the most common ways to unwind at the end of the day is by cracking open a cold beer. We've already covered the health impact of daily wine and alcohol consumption, but what about beer? Humans have been drinking beer some form of it since the Stone Age. It can't be all bad for us, right?
Some research suggests that moderate beer drinking may support heart health, specifically by increasing good cholesterol in the blood, explains Destini Moody, R.D., the founder of The Athlete’s Dietitian and an expert on the panel of Garage Gym Reviews. Moderate drinking, by the way, is defined by the CDC as one drink per day or less for women and two drinks per day or less for men.
But the tricky part is that drinking more than moderately can quickly wipe out any potential benefits and expose you to alcohol’s more serious downsides, Moody says, including an increased risk of cancer, fat gain, and liver disease. In fact, an Advisory published by the U.S. Surgeon General last year stated that alcohol is one of the leading preventable causes of cancer in the United States, contributing to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer-related deaths each year.
So, is it still “healthy” to crack open a beer every night with dinner or pour yourself a pint after work? Here’s what the experts had to say.
Is It Healthy To Drink A Beer Every Day?
Drinking beer regularly can be part of a balanced lifestyle, but moderation is key, says dietitian René Ficek, R.D., owner of Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating. “Consuming beer in moderation can fit into a healthy diet, but daily consumption isn’t recommended for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions or those taking medications that interact with alcohol,” she says.
Moody says she wouldn’t go so far as to call a daily beer "healthy." While there’s some research suggesting moderate beer consumption has some health benefits, it’s not hard to frame it as a genuinely healthy habit when alcohol itself doesn’t have any real nutritional value.
Does Beer Have Any Health Benefits?
Beer, especially certain types like darker ales and stouts, can offer some benefits, Ficek says.
That’s because it contains antioxidants like polyphenols, mainly from hops and grains, which may help protect against heart disease. Beer also contains small amounts of B vitamins, minerals like magnesium and potassium, and dietary silicon, which has been linked to bone health.
What Are The Health Concerns Associated With A Daily Beer?
Drinking alcohol every day, regardless of the form, comes with real risks. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, even consuming less than one drink per week is associated with a 16.5 percent increased alcohol-related cancer risk for women and a 10 percent increase for men.
Over time, even moderate beer consumption may raise your risk of certain cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer, as well as high blood pressure and weight gain because of the extra calories, Ficek says. Daily drinking can also interfere with sleep and contribute to dehydration if you’re not drinking enough water.
And if you find it difficult to limit how much you’re drinking, alcohol dependence can also become a concern, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What Types of Beer Are The "Healthiest?"
Beers with lower alcohol content and less added sugar are generally the better choice, Ficek says.
Light beers tend to have fewer calories and less alcohol, which may reduce some of the potential negative effects. Beers brewed with fewer additives and more natural ingredients may also be slightly better options, she says.
Certain craft beers, especially some ales and stouts, may contain higher levels of polyphenols and offer small antioxidant benefits.
But Moody points out one important caveat: much of the research on the potential benefits of alcohol examined drinks with an ABV of 5 percent or lower, and many beers exceed that.
“Considering the negative and inflammatory impact of alcohol on the body’s systems as a whole, it makes sense that those with a lower alcohol content are less harmful than stronger beers,” she says.
Are There Any Benefits To Drinking Beer After Exercising?
Some marathoners crack open a beer after a race, and hikers may enjoy one at the summit. But is there any real benefit to drinking beer after a workout?
Ficek says that after intense exercise, the priority should be rehydration, electrolyte replenishment, and protein and carbohydrate intake to support recovery. “While a cold beer may be enjoyable, it’s not the most effective recovery drink,” she says. “Beer is a diuretic, which can contribute to dehydration.”
In moderation, a post-workout beer may offer a small amount of carbohydrates and even some antioxidants, she says, but it should not replace proper hydration or a balanced recovery meal.
