Is there something in Beer that Causes a Potassium Deficiency?

Question

I've noticed that after nights of heavy beer consumption, I wake up with very painful leg cramps. I get these cramps occasionally (I assume as a result of a potassium deficiency) and eating a banana usually causes them to subside.

So, is there something specific in beer that would cause this? I don't get the cramps after drinking wine or liquor.

Also, I don't really get hung over. The leg cramps are my only complaint (no cotton mouth, headaches, dizziness, nausea, etc.)

Answer 1

It's not the potassium. Beer has about 95 mg of potassium per can, which doesn't compare with a banana at 420 mg, but it shouldn't cause potassium loss.

Potassium deficiency is extremely rare in otherwise healthy people, unless they are taking diuretics or corticosteroids.

Dehydration contributes to leg cramps, and drinking a lot of alcohol can dehydrate you. Hence cotton mouth in the morning. Alcohol, as you probably already know, is a mild diuretic.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Potassium Deficiency Muscle Cramps

Answer 4

You know, maybe it's dehydration. I know that I'm always thirsty after even a little alcohol, and I've heard that dehydration is what causes a hangover.

Later: I Googled it, and beer seems to have lots of potassium, but look what I found!

"I have had severe leg night cramps for most of my adult life. I found out from a physical therapist recently that because I drink little
water and do drink coffee I am dehydrating my body from frequent urination. The electrolyte in my body becomes too concentrated. This also applies to beer drinkers. Now I keep a sport bottle of water next to the bed and if a night cramp happens I drink as much water as I can as quick as I can. The cramp always goes away immediately.I have tried bananas, Quinine, tonic water, vitamin e and vitamin c. and calcium. The bottle of water works best of them all.
Dave"

www.otan.dni.us/webfarm/email
projectlegcramp.htm+beer+leg+
cramp&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl
=us

Answer 5

Just because the volume that you drink makes your kidneys work alot so you will loose some electroytes just from the function of the kidneys trying to regulate your bodys fluid volume. Your kidneys do compensate and try to retain the electrolytes but if you run four liters of beer through them. well it makes it hard. Try some mixed drinks made with Pedilyte.lol. Might do the trick.

Answer 6

Beer or any alcoholic drink flushes out your system. The level of fluid in your body increases and to keep the body in homeostasis the body expels the excess fluid by you peeing it out. This will also flush out a lot of nutrients that are in your body. The best thing to do is drink water and eat a banana or take a multivitamin. That way you will replenish many of the vitamins your body needs to function properly. =)

Answer 7

Yes - it acts as a diuretic

Answer 8

yes, and a true alcoholic can even get serve.