Bengaluru's Craft Beer Boom: A Belly Buster?

Bengaluru, known as India's microbrewery capital, is seeing an increase in weight gain linked to the popularity of craft beer. Doctors report that these beverages, often higher in alcohol, sugar, and calories than standard lagers, are a significant factor. A study highlighted a dose-dependent relationship between alcohol consumption and visceral fat, a pattern now observed locally.

Medical professionals note that the microbrewery culture, combined with sedentary urban lifestyles, contributes to increased waistlines and related health issues like fatty liver and borderline sugar levels. Craft beers can range from 150 to 300 calories per portion, significantly more than the 100 to 150 calories in a regular beer. This calorie count skyrockets when paired with popular, calorie-dense food options often found in microbreweries.

These food items, rich in fat and refined carbohydrates, can contain 800 to 1,200 kilocalories per dish, leading to excessive calorie intake during single outings. Beyond weight gain, regular consumption is associated with abnormal liver enzymes, disturbed sleep, gastritis, and an elevated risk of diabetes, with nearly half of urban adults in clinical settings being overweight or obese.