Beer, wine or mixing alcohol: Here is what is most harmful to health

Scientists agree that there is no safe amount of alcohol that does not affect health, but there is still a difference between consuming beer, wine or mixing alcoholic beverages.

According to American researchers who followed the drinking habits of nearly 2,000 adults, even people who mix alcoholic drinks are healthier than those who drink beer.

The study found that people who consume beer have the highest daily calorie intake and the lowest level of physical activity. This, experts say, puts beer lovers at greater risk of obesity and related diseases.

Men, young people and smokers prefer beer

In the study, scientists compared the diets of more than 1,900 American drinkers with the so-called 100-point Healthy Diet Index—an American measure of diet quality. Information about the eating habits of the participants was collected through extensive questionnaires.

The study showed that slightly more than a third of respondents (38.9 percent) consume beer exclusively, a fifth of them (21.8 percent) only wine, while 21 percent of respondents combine alcoholic beverages.

The researchers found that none of the groups came close to achieving a score indicating adequate nutrition – an index above 80.

However, wine drinkers had a nutrition index of 55, those who mix alcoholic beverages scored 53 points, while beer drinkers scored the lowest – a healthy diet index of 49.

According to research, it turns out that beer lovers consume the most calories and are rarely physically active. The research also found that beer is most often consumed by men, younger people, smokers and people with low incomes.

The type of food associated with the types of alcohol

The study’s lead author and internal medicine researcher at Tulane University in the US, Dr. Madelin Novak, said the negative effects of excessive alcohol, including liver disease, can often be exacerbated by a poor diet.

“Differences in the quality of nutrition can be reduced to the context in which the type of alcohol is consumed. Wine, especially red wine, is often combined with more balanced meals containing meat, vegetables and dairy products,” explained Dr. Novak and added:

“On the contrary, beer is often chosen with a diet that is usually low in fiber and high in carbohydrates and processed meat. Fried or salty foods can also encourage beer consumption.”

The research will be presented on Sunday at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2024 conference in San Diego, the Daily Mail reports.

Even a small amount of alcohol can be fatal

It is common knowledge that alcohol is a toxin, and the serious consequences it leads to are also well known – starting with fatal accidents, liver disease and many types of cancer. Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous, which is why the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that “there is no safe amount of alcohol that does not affect health.”

Alcoholism is the most widespread disease of addiction, it is estimated that in the world between 10-15 percent of the adult population suffers from alcoholism. Alcohol consumption is associated with more than 60 types of diseases and injuries. The most common are:

• liver diseases (cirrhosis of the liver, often also hepatitis B and C)
• diseases of the pancreas
• damage to the heart and blood vessels
• stomach damage
• nervous system and other neurological damage.

According to WHO estimates, three million people worldwide die every year due to alcohol.