A new study has found that people who drink only beer tend to have worse diets and health habits compared to those who drink wine, liquor, or a mix of alcohol types.
The research was led by Madeline Novack, chief resident at Tulane School of Medicine, and was presented at The Liver Meeting, a major event organized by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. The findings were also published in the journal Nutrients.
Alcohol misuse is one of the main causes of liver disease in the United States, including serious conditions like cirrhosis.
Another liver problem, called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is becoming more common. Since both liver conditions are strongly linked to lifestyle choices, it’s important to understand how drinking habits relate to nutrition.
In this study, researchers surveyed more than 1,900 adults in the U.S. who reported drinking alcohol. Participants were divided into groups based on what kind of alcohol they usually drank: beer only (39%), wine only (22%), liquor only (18%), or a combination of types (21%).
The team then looked at the quality of their diets using something called the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). This score, which is based on U.S. dietary guidelines, goes up to 100. A score of 80 or more is considered a healthy diet.
None of the groups had an average score that reached 80, but there were still differences between them. Beer-only drinkers had the lowest average score at 49. Wine drinkers had the highest score at 55, while liquor-only and mixed-drinkers scored about 53.
Beer-only drinkers also showed other signs of poorer health. They ate more calories, exercised less, and smoked more often than wine drinkers. They were also more likely to be younger, male, and have a lower income.
Previous studies have shown that drinking more alcohol is linked to worse diet quality in general. But this study shows that the type of alcohol people prefer can also make a difference. One possible reason is the kind of food that tends to be eaten with each type of drink.
In the U.S., beer is often enjoyed in social places where the food is high in fat, sugar, or salt—like burgers, fries, and pizza. Wine, especially red wine, is more commonly consumed with meals that include healthier foods, like vegetables, lean meats, or dairy products.
It’s also possible that the type of food someone eats could influence the drink they choose. For example, salty foods might make people thirstier, leading them to drink more beer.
The researchers say that doctors could use this information to help patients make better choices. By asking patients what kind of alcohol they usually drink, doctors might get a better idea of their lifestyle and habits.
For those who mostly drink beer, it might be helpful to encourage healthier changes—like eating more fruits and vegetables and getting more exercise. These changes can lower the risk of liver problems and improve overall health.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the power of beetroot juice, and the risks of mixing medications with dietary supplements.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to boost iron intake: natural solutions for anemia, and results showing vitamin K may lower your heart disease risk by a third.
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