Don't drink on an empty stomach
According to research from the University of Cambridge (2023), drinking beer without eating anything can increase the absorption rate of Pethanol into the blood, leading to dizziness, nausea and a direct impact on the liver.
When the stomach is empty, the liver does not have enough glucose to function effectively, causing alcohol metabolism to be disrupted, increasing the risk of liver cell damage and sudden hypoglycemia.
Eat a snack or eat foods containing healthy fats (such as butter, eggs, yogurt) before drinking beer to slow down the absorption of alcohol.
You should not combine beer with medicine
According to a report from the CDC (2022), more than 150 drugs can interact negatively with alcohol and beer.
For example, drinking beer with painkillers paracetamol can double the risk of acute hepatitis, while with anti-depressants or drugs to treat high blood pressure, beer can cause sudden high blood pressure or heart rhythm disturbances.
WHO recommendation: People who are being treated with drugs should absolutely avoid alcohol, even in small amounts.
Drinking too quickly can easily lead to alcohol shock
A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Medicine (BMJ Clinical Review, 2023) showed that drinking 3-5 glasses of beer in a short period of time causes the liver to not be able to resolve plantain, leading to acute alcohol poisoning with symptoms such as vomiting, convulsions, loss of consciousness, and even death if not given timely emergency care.
Drink slowly, alternate with water, and do not drink at a club.
Beer is not as energetic as you think
A regular can of beer (330ml) contains an average of 150-200 calories. With 2-3 cans/time, total energy consumption can exceed 500 calories - equivalent to a main meal.
According to the WHO, regular consumption of beer is closely linked to visceral fat and obesity, especially belly fat in men.
Alcohol is not healthier than alcohol if abused
Some viewpoints that lighter beer should be safer, however, research published in The Lancet (2023) analyzed data from 195 countries showing: whether beer, wine or strong alcohol, consuming over 10g of pure alcohol per day increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
A can of 330ml beer usually contains about 12-14g ethanol, which is above the recommended safety level for a day.
Although present in many social occasions, beer is still an alcoholic beverage that needs to be used cautiously and controlled.
Understanding and following the above 5 notes will help you minimize the negative effects of beer on your health, especially your liver, digestive system, and cardiovascular system.
