A new study has found that people who drink only beer tend to have worse diets and overall health habits compared to those who drink wine, liquor, or a mix of alcoholic drinks.
The research, led by Madeline Novack from Tulane School of Medicine, was presented at The Liver Meeting and published in Nutrients. It highlights how alcohol choices can influence nutrition and lifestyle, which play a big role in liver disease and overall health.
Beer-Only Drinkers Have the Lowest Diet Scores
The study surveyed over 1,900 adults in the U.S. who reported drinking alcohol. Participants were divided into four groups based on their preferred drink:
- Beer-only drinkers (39%)
- Wine-only drinkers (22%)
- Liquor-only drinkers (18%)
- Mixed alcohol drinkers (21%)
To measure their diet quality, researchers used the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), which scores diets on a 100-point scalebased on federal nutrition guidelines. A score of 80 or above is considered a good diet, but none of the groups reached this level.
Beer-only drinkers had the lowest score at 49, while wine drinkers had the highest at 55. Liquor-only and mixed drinkers both scored around 53.
Other Unhealthy Habits Among Beer-Only Drinkers
The study also found that beer-only drinkers had other lifestyle habits linked to poorer health:
- Higher calorie intake
- Less physical activity
- Higher smoking rates
In general, beer-only drinkers were younger, more likely to be male, and had lower incomes compared to other drinkers.
Why Does Drink Choice Matter?
Previous studies have shown that drinking alcohol in general is linked to poorer diet quality. However, this study highlights differences based on alcohol type.
One possible reason is the social setting and food choices linked to each drink. In the U.S., beer is often consumed with high-carb, fried, or processed foods like pizza, burgers, and fries.
On the other hand, wine—especially red wine—is often enjoyed with healthier meals that include vegetables, lean meats, and dairy. It’s also possible that food preferences influence drink choices. For example, salty foods can make people thirstier, increasing beer consumption.
How This Research Can Help Improve Health
The study suggests that doctors should ask patients about their preferred alcoholic drink as part of their health discussions.
For those who drink only beer, doctors might recommend:
Adding more fruits and vegetables to their diet
Increasing physical activity
Reducing processed and high-calorie foods
Since liver disease and metabolic health issues are on the rise, understanding alcohol-related habits could help prevent long-term health problems.
By making small lifestyle changes, beer drinkers can improve their diet, reduce health risks, and maintain better overall well-being.
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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