Beer drinkers may have poorer diets and health habits, study finds

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A new study shows that people who drink only beer may have less healthy diets and habits compared to those who drink wine, liquor, or a mix of different alcoholic drinks.

The study was led by Madeline Novack, a chief resident at Tulane School of Medicine. It was shared at The Liver Meeting by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and published in the journal Nutrients.

In the U.S., alcohol misuse is one of the main causes of liver disease, including cirrhosis. Another condition, called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is also becoming more common.

Both of these illnesses are closely linked to diet and lifestyle, so it’s important to understand how different types of alcohol are related to health habits.

The study surveyed more than 1,900 adults in the U.S. who drink alcohol. They were divided into four groups based on what they usually drink: beer only (39%), wine only (22%), liquor only (18%), or a mix of drinks (21%).

To measure how healthy their diets were, researchers used a tool called the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), which scores diets on a scale from 0 to 100. A score of 80 or above means someone is following a healthy diet. None of the groups in the study reached that level.

Beer-only drinkers had the lowest score at 49. Wine-only drinkers scored the highest at 55, while people who drank liquor or a mix of drinks scored around 53.

Beer-only drinkers also showed other signs of poor health. They consumed more calories, exercised less, and were more likely to smoke than wine drinkers. They were also more likely to be younger, male, and have lower incomes.

Earlier studies have shown that drinking more alcohol of any type can lower diet quality. But this study adds that the kind of alcohol people drink may also play a role in their health.

One possible reason for the difference is the types of foods usually eaten with each drink. In the U.S., beer is often paired with high-calorie, greasy foods like burgers, fries, or pizza. On the other hand, wine is more often enjoyed with meals that include healthier items like vegetables, lean meats, and dairy.

It’s also possible that people choose drinks that go well with the food they like. For example, salty foods may increase thirst, leading some people to drink more beer.

The study suggests that doctors should ask patients about their alcohol preferences. Knowing what kind of alcohol someone drinks might help guide advice about eating better and making healthier lifestyle choices.

For those who mostly drink beer, doctors may suggest adding more fruits and vegetables to their meals and being more active to lower the risk of liver disease and improve overall health.

If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the harm of vitamin D deficiency, and Mediterranean diet may preserve brain volume in older adults.

For more health information, please see recent studies about foods to naturally lower high blood pressure, and a simple breakfast switch can help control type 2 diabetes.

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