Women’s Psoriasis and Regular Beer

Drinking Regular Beer May Increase Psoriasis Risk in Women

Research Summary

Women who drink five or more regular beers a week could nearly double their risk for psoriasis, the Boston Globe reported Aug. 16.

Researchers examined data on drinking habits from 1991–2005 among more than 1000 women with psoriasis participating in the Nurses Health Study, a group of approximately 83,000 nurses from 15 states. Participants who drank full-calorie beer were more likely to have the skin disorder than those who drank other alcoholic beverages — including light beer — and those who drank no alcohol.

Researchers led by co-author Abrar A. Qureshi of Brigham and Women’s Hospital said that barley, a distinct property of full-calorie beer, might account for the association. Barley, which is used in the fermentation process, contains gluten. Previous research has linked psoriasis with gluten sensitivity.

"Lower intake of nonlight beer and intake of other types of alcoholic beverages do not appear to influence the risk of developing psoriasis," state the authors in the conclusion. "Women with a high risk of psoriasis may consider avoiding higher intake of nonlight beer."

The study is published online in the Archives of Dermatology.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common, poorly understood condition that affects the skin and sometimes the nails.

The symptoms are red, inflamed skin, covered by scales which flake easily. Affected areas can appear all over the body and can be very itchy, but it is mostly concentrated on the arms (elbows), legs (knees) and trunk, and occasionally can effect the face and scalp. Fingernails and toenails can also be affected with typical symptoms being ridges down the nails, white color pits, yellowish spots and thickness to the nails edge.

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