Is Beer Good for Health? What the WHO Says

Is beer good for health? No. Beer contains alcohol, and the World Health Organization (WHO) says no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health. Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, in the same category as tobacco, and the WHO says the risk starts "from the first drop". Older claims that a beer or two a day protects the heart are now considered unproven, because many of those studies had serious flaws.

Quick answer: beer has small amounts of B vitamins, silicon and plant compounds, but you can get all of these from food without the risks of alcohol. If you do not drink, there is no health reason to start. If you do drink, drinking less is less harmful than drinking more, and some people should not drink at all.

What the WHO and current research say

In January 2023, WHO Europe published a statement in The Lancet Public Health that set out the current scientific position clearly:

No safe amount: there is no known threshold below which alcohol stops raising cancer risk.
Cancer: alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, food pipe (oesophagus), liver, bowel and female breast.
Light drinking counts: in Europe, about half of alcohol-caused cancers occur in people who drink at light or moderate levels, not just heavy drinkers.
Type of drink does not matter: the harm comes from the alcohol (ethanol) itself, so beer, wine and spirits all carry risk.
"Heart benefits" unproven: the WHO says the possible protective effects of light drinking on heart disease and type 2 diabetes have not been established and do not outweigh the cancer risk for individual drinkers.

Why did older studies suggest a benefit? Many compared drinkers with "non-drinkers" who included people who had stopped drinking because they were already ill. That made light drinkers look healthier than they really were. Better-designed studies have largely removed the apparent benefit.

Also read: Is it Bad to Drink Coffee Everyday?

Common beer health claims, checked

Claim	What the evidence says
"Beer is good for the heart"	Not established. Alcohol raises blood pressure and the risk of irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), stroke and heart muscle damage.
"Beer raises good cholesterol (HDL)"	Alcohol can raise HDL a little, but raising HDL this way has not been shown to prevent heart attacks.
"Beer is good for bones"	Beer contains silicon, but heavy drinking increases the risk of falls and fractures. Calcium, vitamin D and exercise are what protect bones.
"Beer helps with diabetes"	No. Alcohol can cause dangerous low blood sugar in people on insulin or some tablets, and beer adds calories that can raise weight and blood sugar.
"Beer flushes out kidney stones"	Not a treatment. Beer makes you urinate more, but alcohol also dehydrates you and beer is high in purines, which can raise uric acid. Water is the safe choice.
"Beer is full of antioxidants and vitamins"	It contains small amounts; vegetables, fruit, whole grains and dal provide far more without alcohol.
"A beer helps me sleep"	Alcohol may make you drowsy but disrupts sleep later in the night.
"Beer is a light drink"	A 650 ml bottle of strong beer can contain as much alcohol as several pegs of whisky.

If kidney stones are your concern, see our guide on kidney stones: symptoms, causes and when to seek help.

How much alcohol is in beer?

People often underestimate beer because it feels mild. The alcohol adds up quickly, especially with the large bottles and strong beers popular in India. The figures below are worked out from the usual alcohol strength printed on labels; check the label of what you drink.

Beer	Alcohol by volume (ABV)	Alcohol (approx.)
Can of lager (330 ml)	About 5%	13 g
Bottle of regular beer (650 ml)	About 5%	26 g
Bottle of strong beer (650 ml)	Up to about 8%	40 g

For comparison, the WHO uses about 10 g of pure alcohol as one "standard drink". So one large bottle of strong beer is roughly four standard drinks.

Beer also has calories. A 650 ml bottle can add a few hundred calories, often with fried snacks alongside, which is one reason regular beer drinking is linked with weight gain around the belly.

Health risks of drinking beer

Cancer: the risk rises with the amount you drink, starting at low levels.
Liver disease: fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Heart and blood pressure: high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, stroke and weakened heart muscle.
Gout: beer is particularly linked with gout attacks because of its purines.
Pancreatitis and stomach problems.
Mental health: alcohol can worsen anxiety, low mood and sleep, and can lead to dependence.
Injuries and road accidents: drink-driving is illegal in India and a major cause of deaths on the road.
Weight gain and poorer blood sugar control.

Who should not drink beer at all

Anyone who is pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
Children and teenagers, and anyone below the legal drinking age in their state
Anyone who is going to drive, ride or operate machinery
People with liver disease, pancreatitis, gout, or a history of alcohol dependence
People taking medicines that interact with alcohol, such as some painkillers, sedatives, sleeping pills, antidepressants, diabetes medicines and some antibiotics; ask your doctor or pharmacist

Also read: Is Masturbation Healthy? Benefits, Myths and When It Can Be a Problem

If you choose to drink

There is no safe level, but less is less harmful. Practical ways to cut down include:

Have alcohol-free days every week
Choose smaller servings and lower-strength beer, and check the label
Alternate each beer with water and eat while drinking
Do not drink to cope with stress, anger or sadness
Never drink and drive; arrange a ride home

Non-alcoholic beer (0.0%) has no or very little alcohol, but some contain sugar and calories, and some people find it a trigger to drink. People recovering from alcohol dependence should ask their doctor before using it.

If you are wondering about other everyday drinks, see is it bad to drink coffee every day.

When to get help

Talk to a doctor if you feel you need to drink every day, find it hard to stop once you start, get shaky or anxious when you do not drink, or if drinking is affecting your work, health or family. Do not stop suddenly after long-term heavy drinking without medical advice, because withdrawal can be dangerous.

In India, the government's free national de-addiction helpline is 14446, and Tele-MANAS (14416) offers free mental health support around the clock. If anxiety or low mood is part of the picture, our guide to anxiety symptoms and when to seek help may help.

FAQs

Is beer good for health in small amounts?

No. The WHO says no amount of alcohol is safe, and the claimed benefits of light drinking for the heart and diabetes have not been proven. Small amounts are less risky than large amounts, but not healthy.

Is beer better than whisky or rum?

The harm comes from the alcohol, not the type of drink. A large bottle of strong beer can contain as much alcohol as several pegs of whisky, so what matters is the total alcohol you drink.

Does beer help with kidney stones?

No. Doctors do not recommend beer for kidney stones. Alcohol can dehydrate you and beer can raise uric acid. Drinking enough water and seeing a doctor is the right approach.

Does beer cause belly fat?

Beer adds calories, often along with fried snacks, and regular drinking is linked with weight gain, especially around the waist.

Is non-alcoholic beer healthy?

It avoids most of the harm of alcohol, but it is not a health drink. Check the label for sugar and calories, and ask a doctor if you are recovering from alcohol dependence.

Filed under Health & Fitness

Is Beer Good for Health? What the WHO and Current Research Say