Overview

Beer is a drink made by fermenting sugars from starches. Barley, hops, water, and yeast are its major components. It can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Typical American alcoholic beers average 4% to 5% alcohol (ethanol) by volume, but some can be much higher. Beer contains minerals such as magnesium, potassium, selenium, and B vitamins. It can also contain antioxidants from hops.

People use beer to prevent heart disease and stroke. It is also used for memory and thinking skills, diabetes, anxiety, cancer and many other purposes, but there's no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Don't confuse beer with barley, hops, yeast, or wine. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Heart disease. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including beer, reduces the risk of developing heart disease in otherwise healthy people. But "moderate amounts" isn't clearly defined.
  • Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Drinking one alcoholic beverage daily seems to improve memory and thinking skills in older males.
  • Heart failure and fluid build up in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF). Drinking 1-4 alcoholic drinks, such as beer, daily is linked with a reduced risk of CHF in people aged 65 years or older.
  • Diabetes. Drinking alcohol, including beer, in light to moderate amounts is linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is also linked to a reduced risk of heart disease in those who already have diabetes.
  • Airway infections caused by exercise. Drinking non-alcoholic beer seems to reduce the risk of airway infections caused by exercise in male athletes.
  • A digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori). Drinking moderate to high amounts of alcohol, including beer and wine, seems to reduce the risk of H. pylori infection.
  • Low bone mass (osteopenia). Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including beer, might improve bone mass in postmenopausal adults.
  • Death from any cause. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including beer, seems to reduce the risk of death from any cause in people who are middle-aged and older.
There is interest in using both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Non-alcoholic beer is likely safe for most people. Alcoholic beer is likely safe for most adults when used in moderation (two 12-ounce glasses daily). But drinking more than this is possibly unsafe. Drinking higher amounts of alcoholic beer can cause, blackouts, drowsiness, low blood sugar, vomiting, and other serious problems.

Drinking large amounts of alcoholic beer long-term can cause many serious health problems including dependence, liver problems, and certain types of cancer.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Non-alcoholic beer is likely safe for most people. Alcoholic beer is likely safe for most adults when used in moderation (two 12-ounce glasses daily). But drinking more than this is possibly unsafe. Drinking higher amounts of alcoholic beer can cause, blackouts, drowsiness, low blood sugar, vomiting, and other serious problems.

Drinking large amounts of alcoholic beer long-term can cause many serious health problems including dependence, liver problems, and certain types of cancer.

Pregnancy: Alcoholic beer is likely unsafe to drink during pregnancy. It can cause birth defects and other serious harm to the unborn infant. It's linked with a significant risk of miscarriage and fetal alcohol syndrome, as well as developmental and behavioral disorders after birth. Don't drink alcoholic beer if you are pregnant. There isn't enough reliable information to know if non-alcoholic beer is safe to use when pregnant.

Breast-feeding: Alcoholic beer is likely unsafe to drink while breast-feeding. Alcohol passes into breast milk and can cause abnormal development. Alcohol can also disturb the infant's sleep pattern, and seems to reduce milk production. There isn't enough reliable information to know if non-alcoholic beer is safe to use while breast-feeding.

Asthma: There have been occasional reports of asthma attacks triggered by drinking beer.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Drinking alcohol can make GERD worse.

Gout: Drinking alcohol can make gout worse.

Heart conditions: In people with chest pain, heart failure, or an enlarged heart, drinking alcohol might make these conditions worse.

High blood pressure: Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day can increase blood pressure and make high blood pressure worse.

High levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia): Drinking alcohol can make this condition worse.

Insomnia: Drinking alcohol can make insomnia worse.

Liver disease: Drinking alcohol can make liver disease worse.

Neurological conditions: Drinking alcohol can make certain disorders of the nervous system worse.

Swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas (pancreatitis): Drinking alcohol can make pancreatitis worse.

Stomach ulcers: Drinking alcohol can make stomach ulcers worse.

A blood condition called porphyria: Drinking alcohol can make porphyria worse.

Mental health conditions: Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day may make some mental health conditions worse and reduce thinking skills.

Surgery: Alcohol can slow down the central nervous system. Combining alcohol with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery might slow the central nervous system down too much. Stop drinking alcohol before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Major Interaction

    Do not take this combination

  • Cisapride (Propulsid) interacts with BEER

    Cisapride might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of the alcohol in beer. Taking cisapride along with beer might increase the effects and side effects of the alcohol in beer.

  • Disulfiram (Antabuse) interacts with BEER

    The body breaks down the alcohol in beer to get rid of it. Disulfiram decreases how fast the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking beer and taking disulfiram can cause a pounding headache, vomiting, flushing, and other unpleasant reactions. Don't drink any alcohol if you are taking disulfiram.

  • Erythromycin interacts with BEER

    The body breaks down the alcohol in beer to get rid of it. Erythromycin can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of alcohol. Taking erythromycin might increase the effects and side effects of alcohol.

  • Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Drinking alcoholic beer while taking a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.

  • NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) interacts with BEER

    NSAIDs are anti-inflammatory medications used for decreasing pain and swelling. NSAIDs can sometimes damage the stomach and intestines and cause ulcers and bleeding. The alcohol in beer can also damage the stomach and intestines. Taking NSAIDs along with alcoholic beer might increase the chance of ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Avoid taking beer and NSAIDs together.

  • Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with BEER

    The body breaks down phenytoin to get rid of it. The alcohol in beer might increase how quickly the body breaks down phenytoin. Drinking alcoholic beer might decrease the effects of phenytoin and increase the possibility of seizures.

  • Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Drinking alcoholic beer and taking sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.

  • Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with BEER

    Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. The alcohol in beer can interact with warfarin. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can change the effects of warfarin. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.

  • Flibanserin (Addyi) interacts with BEER

    Drinking alcohol and taking flibanserin can increase the risk of serious side effects, including very low blood pressure and fainting.

  • Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with BEER

    Beer contains a chemical called tyramine. Large amounts of tyramine can cause high blood pressure. But the body naturally breaks down tyramine to get rid of it. This usually prevents the tyramine from causing high blood pressure. Some medications used for depression stop the body from breaking down tyramine. This can cause there to be too much tyramine and lead to dangerously high blood pressure.

    Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Antibiotics (Sulfonamide antibiotics) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer can interact with some antibiotics. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Do not drink alcoholic beer when taking antibiotics.

  • Aspirin interacts with BEER

    Aspirin can sometimes damage the stomach and cause ulcers and bleeding. The alcohol in beer can also damage the stomach. Taking aspirin along with beer might increase the chance of ulcers and bleeding in the stomach. Beer might also decrease how much aspirin the body absorbs. This might reduce the effects of aspirin. Avoid taking beer and aspirin together.

  • Cefamandole (Mandol) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer can interact with cefamandole. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Do not drink alcohol while taking cefamandole.

  • Cefoperazone (Cefobid) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer can interact with cefoperazone. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Do not drink alcohol while taking cefoperazone.

  • Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) interacts with BEER

    Chlorpropamide might decrease how quickly the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking alcoholic beer and taking chlorpropamide might cause a headache, vomiting, flushing, and other unpleasant reactions. Don't drink alcohol if you are taking chlorpropamide.

  • Griseofulvin (Fulvicin) interacts with BEER

    The body breaks down the alcohol in beer to get rid of it. Griseofulvin decreases how quickly the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking alcoholic beer and taking griseofulvin can cause a pounding headache, vomiting, flushing, and other unpleasant reactions. Don't drink any alcohol if you are taking griseofulvin.

  • Medications for pain (Narcotic drugs) interacts with BEER

    The body breaks down some medications for pain to get rid of them. The alcohol in beer might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of some medications for pain. Drinking alcoholic beer and taking some medications for pain might increase the effects and side effects of some medications for pain.

  • Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-blockers) interacts with BEER

    H2-blockers are used to decrease stomach acid. The alcohol in beer can increase stomach acid. Drinking alcoholic beer might decrease the effects of H2-blockers.

    Some common H2-blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid).

  • Metformin (Glucophage) interacts with BEER

    Metformin is broken down by the body in the liver. The alcohol in beer is also broken down in the body by the liver. Drinking alcoholic beer and taking metformin might cause serious side effects.

  • Metronidazole (Flagyl) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer might interact with metronidazole. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Most experts recommend avoiding alcohol while taking metronidazole and for at least one day after taking metronidazole.

  • Tolbutamide (Orinase) interacts with BEER

    The body breaks down the alcohol in beer to get rid of it. Tolbutamide can decrease how quickly the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking alcohol and taking tolbutamide can cause a pounding headache, vomiting, flushing, and other unpleasant reactions. Don't drink alcoholic beer if you are taking tolbutamide.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer might increase blood pressure when beer is consumed regularly for a long time. But the alcohol in beer might also lower blood pressure for a short time after drinking beer. Consume alcohol with caution if you are taking medications for high blood pressure. Alcohol might change the effects of these medications.

  • Acitretin (Soriatane) interacts with BEER

    The body converts acitretin into other chemicals. One of these chemicals, called etretinate, can cause birth defects. Drinking alcohol can increase the amount of etretinate that the body produces. This chemical can be stored in the body for a long time, even after acitretin is stopped. Do not consume alcohol while taking acitretin or for 2 months after stopping acitretin.

  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin) interacts with BEER

    Bupropion might increase the risk for adverse effects from alcohol. Some people might experience a stronger reaction to alcohol than they did before taking bupropion. Drink alcohol with caution if you are taking bupropion.

  • Cetirizine (Zyrtec) interacts with BEER

    Cetirizine might cause sleepiness in some people. Drinking alcohol with cetirizine might increase the risk for this side effect.

  • Citalopram (Celexa) interacts with BEER

    Citalopram might increase the risk for adverse effects from alcohol. Some people might experience a stronger reaction to alcohol than they did before taking citalopram. Drink alcohol with caution if you are taking citalopram.

  • Doxycycline (Vibramycin) interacts with BEER

    The body breaks down doxycycline to get rid of it. Drinking alcohol regularly for a long time increases how quickly the body breaks down doxycycline. This might decrease the effects of doxycycline. But drinking a small amount of alcohol doesn't seem to have this effect.

  • Eluxadoline (Viberzi) interacts with BEER

    Drinking alcohol regularly or in large amounts might increase the risk of a serious side effect, called pancreatitis, in people who are taking eluxadoline.

  • Levocetirizine (Xyzal) interacts with BEER

    Levocetirizine might cause sleepiness in some people. Drinking alcohol with levocetirizine might increase the risk for this side effect.

  • Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) interacts with BEER

    Drinking alcohol while taking levomilnacipran might cause the body to absorb levomilnacipran faster. It might also cause the body to break down levomilnacipran faster. This might change the effects of levomilnacipran.

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer might lower blood sugar levels. Drinking beer while taking antidiabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. But the carbs in beer might also increase blood sugar. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

  • Medications that increase blood flow to the heart (Vasodilators) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer might lower blood pressure for a short time. Medications that increase blood flow to the heart can also lower blood pressure. Drinking alcoholic beer when taking these medications might cause blood pressure to go too low and increase the risk for side effects.

  • Secnidazole (Solosec) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer might interact with secnidazole. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Most experts recommend avoiding alcohol while taking secnidazole and for at least one day after taking secnidazole.

  • Tinidazole (Tindamax) interacts with BEER

    The alcohol in beer might interact with tinidazole. This can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, sweating, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Most experts recommend avoiding alcohol while taking tinidazole and for at least one day after taking tinidazole.

  • Varenicline (Chantix) interacts with BEER

    Varenicline might increase the risk for side effects from alcohol. Some people might experience a stronger reaction to alcohol than they did before taking varenicline. Drink alcohol with caution if you are taking varenicline.

Dosing

Beer is available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms. Alcoholic beverages, including beer, are commonly consumed by adults. Intake is usually measured in number of "drinks". One drink is equivalent to 4 oz (120 mL) of wine, 12 oz of beer, or 1 oz of spirits. The benefits from alcoholic beer are typically seen with light to moderate consumption, but it's not clear what that actually means in number of drinks.
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