21

When going out for some beers, after a while, I seem to pee more than the amount of beer I drink. Is that true, and why is that?

enter image description here

Improve this question
8
  • 4
    This question appears to be off-topic because it is about biology rather than beer.
    – wax eagle
    Commented Jan 21, 2014 at 20:52
  • 8
    Obviously, you should pee into the empty beer bottles to check this theory.
    – Oliver Salzburg
    Commented Jan 21, 2014 at 20:55
  • 1
    I really hope you're not actually peeing beer.
    – Tom Medley
    Commented Jan 21, 2014 at 21:15
  • 2
    @waxeagle, I'd put this squarely in the middle of the beer/biology interest diagram. Assuming we have sufficient expertise to answer it here, it's relevance to the beer-drinking audience makes me think it's on-topic.
    – Jaydles
    Commented Jan 21, 2014 at 21:24
  • The topicality of this question is being discussed on meta.
    – Shog9
    Commented Jan 21, 2014 at 22:22

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
27

Alcohol is a diuretic. According to this article, 1 gram of alcohol will increase urine excretion by 10ml. Combine that with this CDC article stating that a standard 12 ounce (354ml) beer has 14 grams of alcohol, your can expect to pee 494ml, or 16.75 ounces per 12 ounce bottle.

The graphic would be more accurate with you drinking three beers but peeing four.

Improve this answer
2
  • This raises the importance of staying properly hydrated while drinking alcohol; the beer more you drink, the more dehydrated you're going to get.
    – Anthony
    Commented Jan 21, 2014 at 22:58
  • 2
    it specifically decreases the production of ADH hormone en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasopressin
    – Arthur D
    Commented Feb 6, 2016 at 0:29
4

Because beer is 95% water! Yes alcohol is a diuretic but if delivered with all this water, it is actually hydrating. If you would drink these huge glasses full of water you would urinate fearsomely as well.

So the best news ever is: beer is hydrating. There is scientific evidence for it here from 4:14 onwards. All before that is about the benefits of drinking water, yeah yeah.

enter image description here

Improve this answer
1
  • Great answer on aviation and here. I will accept that answer as soon as I am off Suspension.
    – Muze
    Commented May 12, 2019 at 16:17

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.