Dr. Olga Chystic, an internist, points out that the habit of drinking beer after the end of the work day may cause hidden harm to the body.
She said: "A standard 0.5-liter can of beer contains about 25 grams of pure ethanol, which is roughly equivalent to 60 milliliters of vodka. So drinking three or four cans in the evening is equivalent, in terms of the burden on the liver, to consuming a whole bottle of strong alcoholic beverages."
She explained that the liver does not differentiate between sources of alcohol, breaking down ethanol in the same way into acetaldehyde, a toxic intermediate compound that causes most of the cell damage. She added that regular consumption of large quantities of alcoholic beverages increases the burden on the heart, as it leads to vasodilation and an increase in blood volume, forcing the heart to work harder.
She noted that cardiologists observe a condition known as "beer heart" in some individuals who consume excessive amounts of beer. This condition involves an enlarged heart muscle and a reduced ability to contract efficiently. She explained that this condition is linked to the effects of ethanol, large quantities of liquid, and cobalt, which was previously used as a foam stabilizer in some types of beer.
She added: "The kidneys also suffer, as they have to filter large amounts of fluids saturated with alcohol and carbon dioxide. As this burden continues, the body loses magnesium, potassium and other electrolytes, which can lead to nighttime leg cramps, insomnia and heart rhythm disturbances."
The doctor pointed out that hops contain compounds known as phytoestrogens, substances that have effects similar to female hormones. Although their concentration in a single glass is low, regular beer consumption can lead to their accumulation in the body, potentially affecting hormonal balance.
She added that continued excessive alcohol consumption in men can lead to gradual changes in body shape, such as fat accumulation in the hips and abdomen, and breast enlargement, along with a decrease in testosterone production.
As for women, she explained that increased exposure to estrogen-like compounds may be associated with a higher risk of uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
She said: “One liter of light beer contains about 400 calories, and that doesn’t include the salty snacks, such as potato chips and crackers, that are usually consumed with it. Alcohol also increases appetite and at the same time inhibits the secretion of satiety hormones, such as leptin and peptide YY, so a person who drinks two cans of beer will eat a much larger amount of food than they would on an alcohol-free evening.”
