Beer 'no safer than spirits'

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by Change | 4 Nov 2008

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New studies indicate drinking beer can be as dangerous as strong liquor.

People who drink alcohol should be aware that it is no safer to consume beer than 'hard' spirits, according to research carried out by the University of Texas' School of Public Health.

Studies carried out among Mexican-American, Puerto Rican, Cuban-American, and South/Central American citizens in the US found beer to be the preferred drink among Hispanics, constituting 52 to 72 per cent of alcoholic consumption among men and 32 to 64 per cent among women.

Raul Caetano, professor of epidemiology regional dean for Dallas at the university and author of the report, said people tend to think drinking liquor can lead to the need for alcohol treatments but consuming beer is safer because it is not so strong.

"What the study showed is that beer is the beverage most associated with binge drinking, which is a dangerous way to drink alcohol because of the impairment associated with such high number of drinks," he added.

Professor Caetano went on to conclude beer is a no less harmful beverage than hard liquor.

Last month, Nick Heather, professor of alcohol and other drug studies at Northumbria University, told the Times that those undergoing alcoholism detox often find it difficult to maintain a pattern of controlled drinking and giving up alcohol entirely tends to be their best rehabilitation therapy option.

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