Beer, Breast-feeding, and the Wisdom of Old Wives

Abstract

To the Editor. —In the Oct 16, 1987, issue of JAMA , 1 a physician asks if there is any scientific basis for the use of beer by lactating women as a stimulant to milk production. The four consultants agree that there is no such evidence, apparently having overlooked two pertinent studies. De Rosa et al 2 gave equal amounts of beer and ethanol to 11 normal women and showed significant increases in serum prolactin from mean basal levels of 11.6 ng/mL to mean peak levels of 27.1 ng/mL within 30 minutes of drinking 1 L of 6% ethanol-containing beer. There was no significant change after drinking 6% ethanol solution or sparkling water. Carlson et al 3 gave 800 mL of beer that contained 4.5% ethanol to five men and seven women and an equal amount of nonalcoholic beer to one woman. In men, the prolactin levels increased from a mean