Top 10 Side Effects of Drinking Beer for the First Time
You might think that drinking beer can be pretty harmless; after all, you’ve seen plenty of people imbibe in it before and they seemed okay, right? However, you may not realize that there are actually some serious side effects of drinking beer, including things like dehydration and liver damage. If you’re planning on trying out beer for the first time, make sure you know what to expect! These are the top 10 side effects of drinking beer for the first time. (And no, before you ask—no, we won’t tell you how to brew your own beer at home!
10 Side Effects of Drinking Beer for the First Time -
1) Bad Hangover
The most common side effect to beer consumption is a hangover. Hangovers are caused by excess alcohol consumption and can occur after a night of drinking or from drinking too much at one time. The more you drink, the higher your chance of experiencing a hangover. About 9% of Americans suffer from chronic hangovers, which could be due to an increase in binge drinking. While there’s no exact amount that will eliminate hangovers, it’s suggested that you consume no more than one standard-sized drink per hour in order to limit how often you get them.
2) Gassy
If you’re drinking beer for the first time and consuming a large amount, you may end up feeling gassy as your body tries to process all that alcohol. The effects might be stronger if you’re consuming dark beer or stout. It’s a good idea to drink some water after each alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated and reduce any side effects like headaches and nausea. If it still doesn’t help, try switching to light beer instead!
3) Bloated
Another side effect to drinking beer is bloating, as we all know that beer contains a good amount of carbonation which can cause stomach bloating. If you are someone who has never had a beer before, then it’s safe to say that you have no idea what carbonation does to your body—or if you do know, it could be quite surprising. The bloating usually subsides after a few minutes when you burp or release some air in other ways (like farting). But if it doesn’t go away, then there could be something else going on and you should check with your doctor. Do not drink any more beers until you get checked out.
4) Dry Mouth
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes frequent urination and, in turn, can lead to dehydration. This side effect is especially common in beer because it’s carbonated. When we drink beer (or any carbonated beverage), we swallow quite a bit of air; that extra air comes out as we pee, taking water with it. If you don’t replenish your body’s fluids with other drinks and food, your mouth may become extremely dry after drinking.
5) Headache
It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much experience you have with alcohol: your first beer is going to come with some side effects. The more experience you have, though, doesn’t mean that they go away—they just become more manageable. If your first time has come and gone, it might be worth revisiting those side effects and thinking about how to best combat them. For example, if you feel a headache coming on while drinking, take a break and drink something that contains electrolytes to help ease dehydration (beer alone won’t do it). There are many other ways to manage common side effects of drinking beer so before your next big night out give them some thought.
6) Food Cravings
We all have cravings from time to time. Sometimes it’s chocolate, other times it’s a warm slice of fresh-baked apple pie. What causes these cravings? One study in rats suggests that drinking a small amount of alcohol reduces activity in a brain region that helps suppress cravings—so basically, we may crave more when we drink. In other words, beer may cause food cravings... which could lead to overeating or weight gain down the road.
7) Weight Gain
One downside to beer is that it can contain a lot of calories. A 12-ounce serving can have up to 150 calories, depending on what brand you're drinking. If you drink a few beers each night and don't watch your calorie intake throughout the rest of your day, you could easily consume enough calories to gain weight. Excess weight gain from drinking beer can have serious side effects on your health. Carrying around extra pounds increases your risk for serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes . That's why it's so important to drink responsibly—and yes, beer does count as alcohol! Aim to drink no more than one alcoholic beverage per day if you're male and no more than one or two per day if you're female.
8) Bad Breath
One of the most noticeable side effects is halitosis. When your body metabolizes alcohol, it creates a chemical called acetaldehyde (commonly known as hangover breath). The buildup in your mouth leads to some pretty unpleasant breath. And don’t forget that you might vomit at some point during your drinking session, which brings its own unpleasant side effect.
9) Heartburn
If you’re looking to avoid beer, it may be due to its reputation as a major cause of heartburn. When alcohol enters your stomach, gastric juices are released that promote digestion. However, when there is alcohol in your system, these juices aren’t released as quickly and you could end up with a build-up that gives you heartburn. Also, if you’re prone to acid reflux (the backflow of acid from your stomach into your esophagus), drinking beer can make symptoms much worse. Your best bet? Stick with distilled spirits instead and monitor how much wine or liquor you drink; no one said life was fair!
10) Stomach Aches
It’s true that a beer gut comes from drinking beer over time. However, getting a stomach ache can also be a side effect when you drink it your first time. Carbonation can cause gas and bloating, which is never fun. If you don’t like how drinking makes you feel, take it slow so your body gets used to it and build up your tolerance. This way, you get to enjoy drinking—and all its side effects—without feeling sick! If you do feel queasy right after having a few beers, just wait it out or switch to some water. It’ll go away within an hour or two.