Does drinking beer really damage the liver?

Under the scorching sun in summer, there is nothing more comfortable than drinking ice-cold beer. Because beer, like soda, contains carbon dioxide, it can take away heat from the human body and make people feel extra cool in the hot summer. In addition, beer contains substances such as malt that can promote the secretion of gastric juice. There are many benefits of drinking beer in summer, but will drinking beer damage the liver? How can we protect the liver?

Damage to the stomach and intestines. Drinking too much beer can easily damage the gastric mucosa, causing gastritis and peptic ulcers, and symptoms such as upper abdominal discomfort, bloating, and acid reflux. In addition, if you drink beer with smoked and pickled foods such as salted fish and bacon, it can easily damage the oral and esophageal mucosa. The nitrosamines contained in smoked foods are highly soluble in alcohol and can irritate the oral mucosa.

Damages the liver. At the National Liver Experts Conference held in Chicago, USA, experts pointed out that people who drink a lot of beer are more likely to die from liver disease than those who drink the same amount of wine. A joint investigation by six hospitals in the United States found that 24% of patients who contracted hepatitis due to alcoholism were beer drinkers.

Hurts the heart. Although the alcohol content of beer is not too high, if you drink it without restraint, the alcohol will continue to accumulate in the body and the heart will suffer continuous damage from alcohol, causing tachycardia and heart rhythm disorders.

Can cause cancer. American cancer experts have found that people who drink a lot of beer have three times higher risk of developing oral cancer and esophageal cancer than those who drink strong liquor. Induce stones and gout. German experts have found that the malt wort used to brew beer contains not only calcium and oxalic acid, but also guanine nucleotides, all of which can increase the amount of uric acid in the human body, cause stones, and induce gout.

So, how much beer is considered moderate? First of all, adults should not drink more than 300 ml each time (about the amount of a can), and no more than 500 ml a day (about the amount of a bottle). Secondly, the most suitable temperature for drinking beer is 12℃-15℃, at which time the aroma and foam are at their best and it is most refreshing when drinking. Finally, it is not advisable to eat with pickled or smoked foods. It is advisable to eat light dishes such as fruits and vegetables.

Since drinking alcohol is harmful to the liver, we must protect the liver well. To protect the liver, we must first maintain sufficient sleep and have good sleep quality. Then in terms of diet, eat less irritating food, such as chili peppers, etc. It is better to eat a lighter diet, not too greasy. Finally, you are not allowed to drink coffee or strong tea. There are also some causes of liver fire, so don't eat too much.