Beer does have some health benefits, believe it or not. It does of course have its negative effects on one's health. There are the liver problems and even the possibility of getting behind the wheel of a car and killing yourself and someone else. There's also other health problems you need to know about.
Bad Effects of Beer
Heartburn
Beer contains powerful stimulants of gastric acid secretion and may provoke gastro esophegal reflux and cause heartburn, according to livestrong.com.
Cancer
Chronic and excess consumption of beer is linked to several types of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Specifically, it may increase your risk of developing mouth, throat, colon, breast, liver and larynx cancer. However, the risk of cancer is identical to that posed by consumption of other types of alcohol, such as liquor, wine and malt alcohol beverages. Risk of mouth, larynx and throat cancer may be increased by tobacco use--alcohol may act as a solvent that increases the absorption of harmful chemicals in tobacco, according to livestrong.com.
Low Blood Sugar
Beer can contribute to weight gain by interfering with blood sugar levels. Your body stores sugar in your liver as glycogen; when blood sugar drops between meals, your liver converts glycogen into glucose, releasing it into the blood. Alcohol interferes with this process. Blood sugar drops, the liver does not convert glycogen, your brain thinks you are hungry and you scarf down a fatty burger, fries and whatever else catches your eye when you don't really need the food.
Hydration
A cold beer when you're hot is an appealing drink, but use caution if you've been engaging in athletics or working outside in hot weather. Antidiuretic hormone helps your body retain fluid. Alcohol interferes with the hormone's release, which explains those frequent bathroom visits when drinking beer. If you drink beer when you're hot, you lose fluid through both sweating and urine.
Impairment of driving-related skills
Even small amounts of alcohol can have adverse effects on attention and motor skills. Many serious accidents are alcohol related.
Gluten
Most beer contains malted barley, among other ingredients, and barley contains a protein called gluten. Some people are sensitive to gluten. At the extreme end of this sensitivity is celiac disease, a disorder in which gluten triggers the body's immune system into attacking the lining of the small intestine.
Injuries
Accidental injuries represent significant health risks associated with beer consumption, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Excess consumption of beer may result in impaired judgment and slowed reaction times, which may increase your risk for motor vehicle accidents, firearm injuries, falls and burns.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Stopping consumption of beer or other types of alcohol after heavy or prolonged use may result in withdrawal symptoms that affect your health. Although some people experience few or no withdrawal symptoms, the withdrawal process can be painful and potentially fatal for others. Anxiety, fatigue, depression and irritability are among the most common withdrawal symptoms, according to Balch. Severe complications include hallucinations, convulsions, coma and death.
