Beer to cool off? Nutritionist: More harm than good

The sun is scorching, and many office workers are accustomed to drinking a cold beer after dinner to cool off. Some people also believe that drinking can help reduce edema and prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, nutritionists say that although the main ingredients of beer, alcohol, sugar and water, have a refreshing effect, excessive intake is more harmful to human health, and the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

What are the benefits of drinking beer? Nutritionist Huang Peiru said that the ingredients of beer are only water, alcohol and sugar, which does more harm than good to human health. (Photography by Luo Huiwen)

Huang Peiru, a nutritionist at the Nutrition Department of Miaoli Daqian Hospital, said that beer is a liquid obtained from wheat grains after fermentation and filtration. The original nutrients of wheat, such as B vitamins, have been lost in large quantities, and the only ingredients left are alcohol, sugar, and water. Nutritionally, beer is classified as a fatty food with almost no other nutrients, and it does more harm than good to the human body.

【Benefits of beer】

1. To liven up a party: Beer is an alcoholic beverage that stimulates the brain. A small amount of alcohol can make people relax and feel happier.

2. Quenching thirst and relieving heat: Beer has a high water content, so it can clear heat and moisten the throat when you drink it. However, beer at room temperature tastes slightly bitter, so people are accustomed to drinking it after it has cooled down. If you drink a glass of ice beer on a hot summer day, the temperature felt by the body will drop instantly, and the heat will feel completely gone.

3. Eliminate edema: Alcohol in beer can accelerate the body's metabolism, help diuresis and eliminate edema.

【Disadvantages of beer】

1. High calories can lead to obesity: Beer is high in calories. A 330ml can of beer contains almost as much calories as half a bowl of rice. People like to drink beer with high-calorie foods such as barbecue and fried foods. In the absence of high-fiber fruits and vegetables, the stomach and intestines will increase their absorption rate of fat, which will invisibly increase the risk of obesity.

2. Increased cardiovascular disease: Some people believe that drinking in moderation can prevent cardiovascular disease, but nutritionist Huang Peiru said that this refers to red wine containing polyphenols. In contrast, beer has lost a lot of nutrients due to the different manufacturing process, so it is difficult to say that it has antioxidant or cardiovascular sclerosis prevention effects.

3. Increases the possibility of gout: Beer inhibits the excretion of uric acid. Long-term or excessive intake can cause abnormal uric acid metabolism, urate crystals deposited in the joints, and cause arthritis and gout.

4. Increased risk of chronic diseases: Alcohol increases the digestive and metabolic burden on the stomach, liver, and kidneys. Excessive consumption can easily lead to chronic diseases such as liver disease, metabolism, kidney disease, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.