Previously published in the Galveston Daily News on July 2, 2025
With the 4th of July celebrations upon us, many may choose to celebrate tomorrow by grilling hotdogs and burgers, spending time with friends and family, and having one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in America, beer. Beer makes up over 54 percent of all alcohol sales in the USA. Surprisingly, beer has some health benefits when ingested in moderation.
One of the strongest benefits of beer is its vitamin and antioxidant content. Beer contains numerous antioxidants and B vitamins that may help improve our heart health by reducing oxidative stress, keeping high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol levels up, and potentially lowering our risk of heart disease. One study found that men who have had a previous heart attack were less likely to die of heart disease if they occasionally had beer. Beer also seems to lower the risk of developing diabetes by up to 21 percent compared to non-beer drinkers.
Another health benefit of beer is its effects on our bones. In addition to the vitamin content like folate, beer has high levels of minerals like silicon, magnesium, and phosphorus. Silicon has been shown to lower our risk of osteoporosis and to slow bone degradation in older adults. Phosphorus is another element found in bones and is important in energy production, cell structure, and nerve function.
Beer has also been shown to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and the development of dementia. Beer helps protect the brain from oxidative stress in the brain and one study found that people who had a beer were able to solve puzzles faster than those who were sober. This protective effect may also be through beer’s effect on our kidneys. Beer stimulates the kidneys to flush out toxins which may help our body perform better.
Beer may also improve our sleep quality. The magnesium found in beer along with the hops used in brewing beer have both been shown to positively impact and improve sleep quality. Some beers like ales, stouts, and lagers have also been shown to help boost the production of dopamine while we sleep, a compound in our brain that is needed to help us feel relaxed and happy.
While all of this may encourage you to crack one open, I do need to share a word of caution. Recently, the World Health Organization came out with a statement that any alcohol may negatively impact our health more than the potential benefit from a drink. Alcohol can be addictive and should not be used by those who are susceptible to over-indulgence. Excessive intake of beer can have the opposite effect on our health. Beer can negatively impact our liver, increase weight gain due to the high sugar content, and increase our risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes. A moderate amount of alcohol is considered 1-6 drinks per week and no more than 1-2 a day. Please do not take this article as permission to start drinking, but the occasional beer may have some benefits.