Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Beer Affects CholesterolWhat the Research SaysWeighing the Evidence
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Beer Affects Cholesterol
What the Research Says
Weighing the Evidence
The consumption of alcohol in any form has health implications, but there is evidence that the low to moderate consumption of beer may have a few health benefits. Among them, drinking beer in moderation may positively influencecholesterollevels in your blood.
This article explores the effects beer has on cholesterol levels and whether the benefits outweigh the risks. It also lists other pros and cons of beer consumption so that you can make an informed choice about drinking.
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Early studies exploring the effects of alcohol on thecardiovascular systemrevealed that low to moderate alcohol drinkers had a lower risk ofheart diseasethan heavy drinkers and non-drinkers (with heavy drinkers being at the highest risk).
Research in recent years has altered the picture, suggesting that certain types of alcohol may be better for your heart than others. Chief among these isred wine, which studies suggest may have a cardioprotective effect.On the flip side, the low to moderate consumption of spirits like gin or whiskey is seen to offer no such benefit.
While beer largely falls into the same category as spirits, there is evidence that beer may increase levels of “good” cholesterol in your blood, known ashigh-density lipoprotein (HDL).
HDL is the type of cholesterol that traps and carries “bad” cholesterol—calledlow-density lipoprotein (LDL)—to your liver to be broken down and eliminated. By increasing “good” cholesterol levels, there may be less “bad” cholesterol around to stick to the walls of arteries and causecoronary artery disease (CAD).
What the Current Research Says
The effect that beer has on cholesterol levels has been documented in a growing body of research. Although few would consider beer to be “cardioprotective,” it does positively influence certain factors when consumed infrequently in moderation.
A 2018 study published inNutrientsreported that the moderate consumption of beer in overweight adults (30 grams of alcohol per day in males and 15 grams of alcohol per day in females) did, in fact, increase HDL levels after four weeks.
Moreover, consuming beer in this amount neither significantly altered liver function nor contributed to the stiffening of arteries (a contributing risk factor forhigh blood pressureand CAD).
With that said, the increase in HDL levels wasnotassociated with a decline in LDL levels. There was also no decrease intriglycerides(another blood lipid closely linked to heart disease).
A 2020 review of studies inPLoS Oneconfirmed these findings. The review, which analyzed data from 26 high-quality studies, concluded that the low to moderate consumption of beer increases HDL levels but has no tangible effect on either LDL or triglycerides.
Weighing the Benefits and Risks
Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world. Mainly composed of water, beer is rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and plant-based compounds known aspolyphenols.
The polyphenols in beer are thought to exertantioxidantand anti-inflammatory effects which may help lower blood sugar and the risk ofdiabetes. It may even lower the risk of certain cancers (although there remains debate as to whether the amount in beer has any real therapeutic effect).
Due to the effects, studies have shown that when consumed in moderation—onestandard drinkper day for females and two standard drinks per day for males—alcohol has no impact on mortality (death) rates.Some studies have even suggested controversially that the risk of death may be lower than that of non-drinkers.
Even so, few health experts would ever regard beer as “healthy” or advise a non-drinker to consume beer for health reasons.
For its part, the World Health Organization states that “no level of alcohol is safe for our health” and that the potential harms “start from the first drop of alcohol you consume.”
Summary
The evidence is uncertain as to whether beer is beneficial to your heart health. Though research suggests that the low to moderate consumption of beer can increase “good” cholesterol levels in your blood (as well as the flexibility of blood vessels), it doesn’t lower the “bad” cholesterol that causes arterial blockage.
If you choose to drink beer, the key is to drink in moderation, meaning no more than two beers a day for males and one beer a day for females. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start under the presumption that it will improve your heart health.
The bottom line is that the risks of drinking alcohol far outweigh any potential benefits.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Padro T, Munoz-Garcia N, Vilahur G, et al.Moderate beer intake and cardiovascular health in overweight individuals.Nutrients. 2018 Sep;10(9):1237. doi:10.3390/nu10091237Biddinger KJ, Emdin CA, Haas ME, et al.Association of habitual alcohol intake with risk of cardiovascular disease.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e223849-e223849. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3849Spaggiari G, Cignarelli A, Sansone A, Santi D.To beer or not to beer: a meta-analysis of the effects of beer consumption on cardiovascular health.PLoS One. 2020;15(6):e0233619. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0233619Sancen M, Leniz A, Macarulla MT, Gonzalez M, Milton-Laskibar I, Portillo MP.Features of non-alcoholic beer on cardiovascular biomarkers. can it be a substitute for conventional beer?Nutrients.2023 Jan;15(1):173. doi:10.3390/nu15010173Tian Y, Liu J, Zhao Y, et al.Alcohol consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among US adults: prospective cohort study.BMC Med.2023;21:208. doi:10.1186/s12916-023-02907-6De Gaetano G, Costanzo S, di Castelnuovo A, et al.Effects of moderate beer consumption on health and disease: a consensus document.Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis.2016;26:443–467. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2016.03.007GBD 2017 Risk Factor Collaborators.Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.Lancet. 2018;392(10159):1923–94. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32225-6World Health Organization.No level of alcohol is safe for our health.World Health Organization.Shouldn’t we know this already? The link between alcohol and breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Alcohol and cancer risk.Additional ReadingAlcohol & Heart Health. The American Heart Association.Arranz S, Chiva-blanch G, Valderas-martínez P, Medina-remón A, Lamuela-raventós RM, Estruch R.Wine, Beer, Alcohol and Polyphenols on Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.Nutrients. 2012;4(7):759-81.Foerster M, Marques-vidal P, Gmel G, et al.Alcohol Drinking and Cardiovascular Risk in a Population With High Mean Alcohol Consumption.Am J Cardiol. 2009;103(3):361-8.Prickett CD, Lister E, Collins M et al.Alcohol: Friend or Foe? Alcoholic Beverages Hormesis for Cataract and Atherosclerosis Is Related to Plasma Antioxidant Activity.Nonlinear Biol Toxicol Med2004; 2:353-370.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Padro T, Munoz-Garcia N, Vilahur G, et al.Moderate beer intake and cardiovascular health in overweight individuals.Nutrients. 2018 Sep;10(9):1237. doi:10.3390/nu10091237Biddinger KJ, Emdin CA, Haas ME, et al.Association of habitual alcohol intake with risk of cardiovascular disease.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e223849-e223849. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3849Spaggiari G, Cignarelli A, Sansone A, Santi D.To beer or not to beer: a meta-analysis of the effects of beer consumption on cardiovascular health.PLoS One. 2020;15(6):e0233619. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0233619Sancen M, Leniz A, Macarulla MT, Gonzalez M, Milton-Laskibar I, Portillo MP.Features of non-alcoholic beer on cardiovascular biomarkers. can it be a substitute for conventional beer?Nutrients.2023 Jan;15(1):173. doi:10.3390/nu15010173Tian Y, Liu J, Zhao Y, et al.Alcohol consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among US adults: prospective cohort study.BMC Med.2023;21:208. doi:10.1186/s12916-023-02907-6De Gaetano G, Costanzo S, di Castelnuovo A, et al.Effects of moderate beer consumption on health and disease: a consensus document.Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis.2016;26:443–467. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2016.03.007GBD 2017 Risk Factor Collaborators.Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.Lancet. 2018;392(10159):1923–94. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32225-6World Health Organization.No level of alcohol is safe for our health.World Health Organization.Shouldn’t we know this already? The link between alcohol and breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Alcohol and cancer risk.Additional ReadingAlcohol & Heart Health. The American Heart Association.Arranz S, Chiva-blanch G, Valderas-martínez P, Medina-remón A, Lamuela-raventós RM, Estruch R.Wine, Beer, Alcohol and Polyphenols on Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.Nutrients. 2012;4(7):759-81.Foerster M, Marques-vidal P, Gmel G, et al.Alcohol Drinking and Cardiovascular Risk in a Population With High Mean Alcohol Consumption.Am J Cardiol. 2009;103(3):361-8.Prickett CD, Lister E, Collins M et al.Alcohol: Friend or Foe? Alcoholic Beverages Hormesis for Cataract and Atherosclerosis Is Related to Plasma Antioxidant Activity.Nonlinear Biol Toxicol Med2004; 2:353-370.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Padro T, Munoz-Garcia N, Vilahur G, et al.Moderate beer intake and cardiovascular health in overweight individuals.Nutrients. 2018 Sep;10(9):1237. doi:10.3390/nu10091237Biddinger KJ, Emdin CA, Haas ME, et al.Association of habitual alcohol intake with risk of cardiovascular disease.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e223849-e223849. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3849Spaggiari G, Cignarelli A, Sansone A, Santi D.To beer or not to beer: a meta-analysis of the effects of beer consumption on cardiovascular health.PLoS One. 2020;15(6):e0233619. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0233619Sancen M, Leniz A, Macarulla MT, Gonzalez M, Milton-Laskibar I, Portillo MP.Features of non-alcoholic beer on cardiovascular biomarkers. can it be a substitute for conventional beer?Nutrients.2023 Jan;15(1):173. doi:10.3390/nu15010173Tian Y, Liu J, Zhao Y, et al.Alcohol consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among US adults: prospective cohort study.BMC Med.2023;21:208. doi:10.1186/s12916-023-02907-6De Gaetano G, Costanzo S, di Castelnuovo A, et al.Effects of moderate beer consumption on health and disease: a consensus document.Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis.2016;26:443–467. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2016.03.007GBD 2017 Risk Factor Collaborators.Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.Lancet. 2018;392(10159):1923–94. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32225-6World Health Organization.No level of alcohol is safe for our health.World Health Organization.Shouldn’t we know this already? The link between alcohol and breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Alcohol and cancer risk.
Padro T, Munoz-Garcia N, Vilahur G, et al.Moderate beer intake and cardiovascular health in overweight individuals.Nutrients. 2018 Sep;10(9):1237. doi:10.3390/nu10091237
Biddinger KJ, Emdin CA, Haas ME, et al.Association of habitual alcohol intake with risk of cardiovascular disease.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e223849-e223849. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3849
Spaggiari G, Cignarelli A, Sansone A, Santi D.To beer or not to beer: a meta-analysis of the effects of beer consumption on cardiovascular health.PLoS One. 2020;15(6):e0233619. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0233619
Sancen M, Leniz A, Macarulla MT, Gonzalez M, Milton-Laskibar I, Portillo MP.Features of non-alcoholic beer on cardiovascular biomarkers. can it be a substitute for conventional beer?Nutrients.2023 Jan;15(1):173. doi:10.3390/nu15010173
Tian Y, Liu J, Zhao Y, et al.Alcohol consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among US adults: prospective cohort study.BMC Med.2023;21:208. doi:10.1186/s12916-023-02907-6
De Gaetano G, Costanzo S, di Castelnuovo A, et al.Effects of moderate beer consumption on health and disease: a consensus document.Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis.2016;26:443–467. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2016.03.007
GBD 2017 Risk Factor Collaborators.Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.Lancet. 2018;392(10159):1923–94. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32225-6
World Health Organization.No level of alcohol is safe for our health.
World Health Organization.Shouldn’t we know this already? The link between alcohol and breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Alcohol and cancer risk.
Alcohol & Heart Health. The American Heart Association.Arranz S, Chiva-blanch G, Valderas-martínez P, Medina-remón A, Lamuela-raventós RM, Estruch R.Wine, Beer, Alcohol and Polyphenols on Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.Nutrients. 2012;4(7):759-81.Foerster M, Marques-vidal P, Gmel G, et al.Alcohol Drinking and Cardiovascular Risk in a Population With High Mean Alcohol Consumption.Am J Cardiol. 2009;103(3):361-8.Prickett CD, Lister E, Collins M et al.Alcohol: Friend or Foe? Alcoholic Beverages Hormesis for Cataract and Atherosclerosis Is Related to Plasma Antioxidant Activity.Nonlinear Biol Toxicol Med2004; 2:353-370.
Arranz S, Chiva-blanch G, Valderas-martínez P, Medina-remón A, Lamuela-raventós RM, Estruch R.Wine, Beer, Alcohol and Polyphenols on Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.Nutrients. 2012;4(7):759-81.
Foerster M, Marques-vidal P, Gmel G, et al.Alcohol Drinking and Cardiovascular Risk in a Population With High Mean Alcohol Consumption.Am J Cardiol. 2009;103(3):361-8.
Prickett CD, Lister E, Collins M et al.Alcohol: Friend or Foe? Alcoholic Beverages Hormesis for Cataract and Atherosclerosis Is Related to Plasma Antioxidant Activity.Nonlinear Biol Toxicol Med2004; 2:353-370.
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