Scientists have discovered which type of alcohol is the most unhealthy. Those who consume it are more likely to be overweight and lazy

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When it comes to wine, the French might know a thing or two. Beer drinkers have poorer diets, smoke more and are more sedentary than wine or spirits drinkers, a study suggests.

According to American researchers who analyzed the drinking habits of nearly 2,000 adults, even those who drink combinations of alcohol have a healthier lifestyle than those who drink only beer. This fact, experts said, puts beer lovers at greater risk of obesity and related diseases.

The main author of the study, Dr. Madeline Novack, a researcher in internal medicine at Tulane University, explained that the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption, such as liver disease, can be worsened by unhealthy diets.

In the study, scientists compared the diets of more than 1,900 US drinkers using the 100-point Healthy Eating Index—an American standard for diet quality. Information on dietary habits was collected through detailed questionnaires.

Over a third (38.9%) drank beer exclusively, a fifth (21.8%) only wine, 18.2% only spirits, and 21% consumed a combination of drinks. Neither group was able to achieve a score indicating an “adequate diet” — a score above 80.

It was found that those who consumed beer had the highest daily caloric intake and the lowest level of physical activity. Wine drinkers scored 55, spirits drinkers and mixers scored nearly 53 points, while beer drinkers scored the lowest at 49.

Beer drinkers also reported consuming more calories and exercising less. According to Dr. Novack, most were male, younger, smokers and low-income.

Dr. Novack suggests that differences in diet quality may also be explained by the context in which various types of alcohol are consumed. Wine, especially red wine, is often paired with balanced meals containing meat, vegetables and dairy. Conversely, beer is often preferred in contexts where foods are low in fiber but high in carbohydrates and processed meats. Fried or salty foods, which dehydrate consumers, can stimulate beer consumption.

The research will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in San Diego on Sunday, November 17.

Experts have been discussing the dangers of moderate alcohol consumption for decades. The subject was brought back into the spotlight last year, when representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. The UK’s public health system recommends no more than 14 units of alcohol per week — the equivalent of around six glasses of wine or six pints of beer.

In the US, recommendations are for women to consume no more than seven standard drinks per week and for men to consume no more than 14.

Scientists agree that excessive alcohol consumption can cause permanent liver damage, cause various types of cancer and increase blood pressure. Alcohol also affects the heart muscle and can lead to cardiovascular disease that increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Binge drinking — sometimes defined as five drinks in a two-hour period — can cause an irregular heartbeat, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and high blood pressure.

The World Health Organization estimates that alcohol kills three million people globally every year, he writes dailymail.com.