Considering beer healthy is far too premature
A new study showed that beer contains more vitamin B6 than previously thought, and some media outlets have already dubbed the drink beneficial for the brain. But it’s worth looking into the study itself to understand that reality is much more complicated and far less optimistic for beer lovers.
Vitamin B6 Content in Beer
A study of 65 beer varieties was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Scientists analyzed commercial German beer varieties using a new laboratory method and found that the vitamin B6 content was notably higher than previous estimates.
According to the authors, a standard serving of beer can cover about 15% of the daily requirement for vitamin B6. No significant difference in vitamin B6 levels was found between non-alcoholic lager and regular beer. However, beer brewed from vitamin B6-rich ingredients, such as barley, contained more of this vitamin compared to varieties based on wheat or rice.
Vitamin B6 is a substance the body cannot produce on its own, yet it is important for brain function, blood formation, and the immune system. That sounds impressive. But let’s look at what’s behind the flashy headlines.
Can Beer Be Considered Healthy?
The numbers in the study are technically correct but misleading in context. The claim that beer covers 15% of the daily vitamin B6 requirement sounds impressive but ignores the overall nutritional picture.
Most people do not have a vitamin B6 deficiency. The same amount, or even more, can easily be obtained from a regular healthy diet: from potatoes, chickpeas, fortified cereals, meat, grains, and vegetables — without a single gram of alcohol.
There’s also a legal nuance. For a product to qualify for an official health claim, one serving must cover the full daily requirement of the vitamin. Not a single one of the 65 beer varieties studied came even close to that threshold.
Simply put, calling beer a “source of vitamins” is roughly like calling a puddle a “body of water.” Technically true, practically meaningless.
How Beer Affects Brain Health
One of the loudest conclusions in the media was that beer is good for the brain. Where did this come from?
The study correctly notes that vitamin B6 is involved in the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine — neurotransmitters important for mood and nervous system function. It is indeed present in beer in measurable amounts. But that’s where the problem begins.
The study did not measure any brain health indicators whatsoever: no cognitive functions, no mood assessments, no neurological effects. In other words, data that would support the conclusion about “brain benefits” simply doesn’t exist in the paper.
The interpretation that beer is a “brain booster” is problematic. It’s like saying: “Gasoline contains carbon, carbon is the basis of life, therefore gasoline is good for health.” The logical chain looks smooth but doesn’t withstand scrutiny.
The study did not examine beer’s effect on brain function, although media claimed otherwise
Alcohol Risks That Were Left Unmentioned
The approach to serving size is also concerning. The study operates with the concept of “one serving,” and in some cases refers to volumes of up to a liter. Regular consumption in such quantities clearly contradicts medical recommendations.
At the same time, the paper does not pay sufficient attention to the negative consequences of alcohol, which are well documented. Alcohol is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 1 carcinogen, alongside asbestos, radiation, and tobacco. It causes at least seven types of cancer, including colorectal and breast cancer.
Emphasizing a small vitamin content without weighing it against well-known risks means misleading the reader.
The Myth of Healthy Red Wine
The story of “healthy beer” is far from the first time alcohol has been attributed with healing properties. The most famous example is the idea that a glass of red wine a day protects the heart.
The term “French Paradox” appeared in 1992 to describe the low incidence of cardiovascular disease among the French, despite a diet rich in saturated fats. It was assumed that the reason lay in red wine, which contains polyphenols (natural antioxidants), primarily resveratrol.
The “French Paradox” was long explained by the French love of red wine
But later studies seriously undermined this appealing theory. People who drink red wine moderately are more likely to buy healthy food, exercise more, and have a higher socioeconomic status. Any of these factors could be a so-called “confounding variable” that is associated with both wine and heart health simultaneously.
This phenomenon is known as the “healthy user effect.” Many people who currently don’t drink are former heavy drinkers or people with health problems who quit. This distorts the statistics, making moderate drinkers appear visually healthier by comparison. When newer, larger-scale studies account for these variables, the protective effect of alcohol generally disappears.
Which Vitamins Are More Effective for Health
Polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can be obtained much more safely and reliably from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil — without the risks associated with alcohol.
When alcohol brands use studies like these to present their products as healthy, they put marketing above public health. In the worst case, they encourage people to drink more.
This doesn’t mean the study itself is bad. The work measuring the vitamin composition of beer was conducted rigorously and has scientific value. The problem lies in how the results are presented in the media and how they may be used by manufacturers.
If you truly lack vitamin B6, it’s much wiser to eat a serving of chickpeas or a baked potato than to open a bottle of beer. And if you drink beer for enjoyment — that’s your choice, but the vitamin value of the drink should not serve as justification for increasing the amount consumed. Science is quite clear on this: the less alcohol, the safer.
