Physical Wellness

Budweiser Increases Chances of Emergency Hospitalization

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Aug 17, 2013 11:30 AM EDT

Although drinking all types of alcohol excessively could lead to a long night on an emergency room hospital bed, a new study is reporting that some brands of alcohol could increase those risks. According to this study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the leading culprit of hospitalizations is none other than the American Brand, Budweiser.

In this study, the researchers discovered that even though Budweiser makes up only 9.1 percent of domestic beer sales, it is the leading cause of emergency room hospitalizations due to intoxication. The researchers found 15 percent of the people who end up being hospitalized for intoxication drank Budweiser. The researchers explained that malt liquor appears to be the more popular choice of beer over the regular lager reported by the drinkers who finish their nights at the hospital. 

The researchers found that the second leading cause of hospitalization due to intoxication is Steel Reserve Malt Liquor. This brand of alcohol only makes up .8 percent of the market for beers but it contributes to 14.7 percent of emergency room admittances. After Steel Reserve Malt liquor, follows Colt 45 and Bud Ice. Bud light and a cheaper brand of vodka called Barton's take the fifth and sixth spots. The researchers then calculated the role of malt liquors overall. Malt liquors only make up about 2.4 percent of the U.S. beer trade. This percentage skyrockets once the researchers looked at the role it has for emergency hospitalizations. Malt liquors make up about 46 percent of the alcohol consumed by emergency room goers.

The data for this report came from 105 hospital patients who were interviewed in one hospital located in Baltimore. Since the sample set is limited, the study's director, David Jernigan admitted that the statistics might not be nationally representative. However, the researchers believe that by understanding what types of beers contribute to hospitalizations and what types of people are prone to drink these brands could help with prevention measures. 

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