Beer

Related Terms

5-(or 2)-Ethyl-2-(or 5)-methyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone, 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), alcohol, alpha-acids, barley, benzoic acid derivatives, catechin, chalcone xanthohumol, cinnamic acid derivatives, coumarins, dimeric proanthocyanidins, epicatechin, ferulic acid, flavonoids, furanones, hops, hordenine, Hordeum vulgare, hydroquinone, iso-alpha-acids, isohumulones, isoxanthohumol, leucocyanidin, malt, mevalonic acid, monomeric polyphenols, monophenols, nisin, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, phenolic compounds, phytoestrogens, polyamines, polyphenols, prenylated chalcones, prenylflavonoids, procyanidin B3, prodelphinidin B3, purines, putrescine, quercetinspermidine, spermine, sulfites, sulphites, trimeric proanthocyanidins, tyrosine, tyrosol, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, xanthohumol, yeast.
Note: This monograph does not cover nonalcoholic or low-alcohol beer, barley, hops, or malt.

Background

Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage produced by the fermentation of sugars derived from starch-based materials. Barley (malt), hops, water, and yeast are the major ingredients in beer.
Archeological and biblical studies show that beer has been a part of human culture for thousands of years.
According to secondary sources, the United States consumes less alcohol, including beer, than other countries in the world. European cultures vary by the types of alcohol consumed. Beer is the major contributor to alcohol consumption by men living in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. In Murcia, Spain, women drink more beer than wine. In general, culture, age, and sex are important determinants of the type of alcohol consumed.
At this time, there is a lack of strong scientific evidence to support beer consumption for any clinical purpose.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Studies suggest that moderate alcohol-consuming beer drinkers have lower levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, and white blood cell counts than non-beer drinkers. Further research is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


Studies suggest that moderate alcohol-consuming beer drinkers have lower levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, and white blood cell counts than non-beer drinkers. Further research is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


Further research on the effect of beer on antioxidants is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


Further research on the effect of beer on antioxidants is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


Although moderate beer drinking is associated with improved cardiovascular risk reduction, further research on the mechanisms is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


Although moderate beer drinking is associated with improved cardiovascular risk reduction, further research on the mechanisms is required before conclusions can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Note: Drinking beer may not raise total mortality above the normal risk level, provided that imbibers do not exceed 168-280 grams of alcohol weekly for men and 84-140 grams weekly for women.
General: According to several clinical trials, the consumption of a moderate amount of beer has been defined as an alcohol intake of 40 grams daily for men and 30 grams daily for women during meals over two successive periods of three weeks. Beer consumption of 330 milliliters daily (about 20 grams of alcohol) for 30 consecutive days had favorable effects on lipids and fibrinogen (protein in blood clotting). Daily or weekly drinkers of low-alcohol beer (0.9% vol/vol) for four weeks experienced reduced systolic blood pressure.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
In general, the alcohol in beer interacts with a wide variety of medicines. According to experts, a person who is not habituated to alcohol or sedatives may cause himself or herself serious harm or death by consuming low doses of each.
Beer may increase or decrease the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Beer may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Beer may lower blood pressure. Caution is advised when taking other agents that affect blood pressure.
Beer may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, beer may change the levels of these drugs in the blood and increase or decrease the intended effects.
Because beer contains estrogen-like chemicals, the effects of other agents believed to have estrogen-like properties may be altered.
Beer may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs, including sedatives. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Beer may also interact with acetaminophen, agents processed by the liver, agents that harm the liver, analgesics (pain medications), antiasthma agents, antibiotics (including cephalosporins, metronidazole, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and isoniazid), anticancer drugs, anticonvulsants (antiseizure drugs), antidepressants (MAOIs), antigout agents, antihistamines, antiobesity agents, antiulcer agents, calcium salts, cholesterol- and lipid-lowering agents, CNS depressants, cobalt, diuretics, drugs used for osteoporosis, fertility agents, hormonal agents, iron, magnesium supplements, naltrexone, potassium salts, salicylates, sedatives, sodium, tetrahydrocannabinol, and vasodilators (drugs that increase the size of veins and arteries).

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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