Drinking one or two standard beers a day can have positive effects, such as heart benefits, better blood sugar control, stronger bones, and a lower risk of dementia. Keep in mind that even moderate alcohol consumption is not without risks. For example, even low-drinkers (those who don't drink more than one drink a day) have a reduced but real risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as esophageal cancer. And driving under the influence of alcohol is never a good idea.
And while one or two drinks a night is something that many people look forward to and enjoy as part of their nighttime routine, drinking a beer a day isn't necessarily a harmless habit. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a 12-ounce serving of beer contains about the same amount of alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1.5-ounce shot of hard liquor. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption eliminates most of the health benefits of beer, making addiction a double-edged sword. You should also make sure that things don't get worse over time, for example, to the point of drinking six beers a night instead of one or two.
Drinking more than two beers a day can increase your chances of developing fatty liver disease or cirrhosis. The USDA says that a regular 12-ounce can or bottle of beer provides 155 calories, almost 2 grams of protein, almost 13 grams of carbohydrates and 0 grams of fat. This effect is strongest in low-sugar beers, such as light beers, so pay attention to the type of beer you drink. A 12-ounce can or bottle of light beer provides 104 calories, almost 1 gram of protein, 6 grams of carbohydrates and 0 grams of fat.
One study showed that one or two alcoholic drinks a day could reduce the risk of developing diabetes by up to 50%. Drinking one beer a day is unlikely to get you drunk, but you should include calories in your daily calorie intake plan. One study showed that one drink a day reduced the risk of all-cause mortality in women and that up to two beers a day produced the same results for men. Researchers found that men who drank two alcoholic beverages a day for an extended period of time were 42 percent less likely to die from heart disease and 14 percent less likely to die from any cause.
So, while drinking one beer a day may not be harmful in the long run, drinking six beers a night every night can affect your health and may be a sign of alcohol dependence problems. If you feel drunk or drunk after drinking a beer, you shouldn't drive, even if your blood alcohol content is below the legal limit.
