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10 Super Amazing Health Benefits Of Beer You Probably Never Knew
By: Priyanka Maheshwari Tue, 31 Oct 2023 5:41:46
Beer stands as one of humanity's oldest and most universally enjoyed alcoholic beverages, ranking third in worldwide popularity behind only water and tea. Crafted primarily from malted barley, although wheat, maize, and rice are also common ingredients, beer is not only fat-free and cholesterol-free but also brimming with essential nutrients. Among its offerings are soluble fiber, magnesium, selenium, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, chromium, and B vitamins such as B6, B12, and folic acid.
This beloved drink finds its way to consumers in bottles and cans, and it's a staple on tap, especially in pubs and bars. The brewing industry, a global powerhouse, comprises major multinational corporations alongside countless smaller producers, ranging from cozy brewpubs to expansive regional breweries. Modern beers typically boast an alcohol by volume (ABV) content of 4% to 6%, although variations can stretch from 0.5% to 20%. Some breweries even push the limits, crafting brews with an astonishing 40% ABV and beyond.
Picture this: after a hectic day, there's nothing quite like unwinding with a chilled beer. And here's a surprising fact – in moderation, beer can actually offer health benefits. When consumed responsibly, defined as one 12-ounce beer per day for women and two for men, beer can potentially contribute positively to your well-being. So, while excessive consumption can lead to health issues, savoring your favorite brew in moderation might just be the perfect way to relax and enjoy a taste of history and health combined.
# Lowers Heart Disease Risk
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, beer can decrease the risk of heart diseases by approximately 20% to 40%.Researchers from Harokopio University in Athens have also found that moderate consumption of this beverage lowers cardivascular risk.
# Good for Your Cholesterol
A study presented by the American Heart Association showed that moderate beer drinkers actually had slower declines in good cholesterol than those who didn’t drink beer at all. A slower decline in good cholesterol is a positive thing, since you want to have more good cholesterol and less bad cholesterol for optimal health. Just don’t pair your beer with too much bar food — all that grease and salt isn’t exactly cholesterol-friendly.
# Reduces Kidney Stones
Beer is also known to decrease the risk of kidney stones. A study in Finland found that beer taken in moderation daily can reduce the risk of developing kidney stones by 40%.The high water content (about 93%) in beer helps keep the kidneys working properly and flush harmful toxins out of the system.Also, the diuretic effect of beer will not cause dehydration, which is one of the leading causes of kidney stones.
# Boosts Brain Health
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have shown that beer reduces the risk of developing memory problems later in life by 23%.Moderate intake decreases the incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia because beer triggers the growth of new brain cells. Drinking beer moderately (the key word here is moderately) can help to flush damaging compounds from your brain.
# Guards against Strokes
Several studies by the American Stroke Association have shown that moderate beer drinkers cut down their risk of strokes by up to 50% compared with non-drinkers.According to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, moderate amounts of beer daily helps prevent blood clots that block blood flow to the heart, neck and brain.
# It makes you happy
You might not have needed science to tell you this one, but beer can actually make you happier. Research supports this — according to one recent study, a chemical in beer works to release happy hormones in your brain.
# Makes Bones Stronger
Beer contains high levels of silicon, a healthy compound that is linked to better bone health. Silicon has been found to increase bone mineral density and improve bone strength.According to a 2009 study done at Tufts University, older people who have the habit of drinking beer in moderate amounts daily had higher bone density. However, beer in large quantities will weaken the bones and increase the risk of bone fractures.
# Lowers your risk of diabetes
Research conducted at Harvard showed that among a group of men who rarely drank, adding one to two beers a day to their diet actually made them healthier. The extra beers reduced their risk of Type 2 diabetes. The researchers were careful to caution that this doesn’t necessarily mean you should take up drinking to prevent diabetes — but instead suggests that moderate alcohol consumption might not be so terrible, after all.
# Minimize risk of cancer
Beer contains an important antioxidant known as xanthohumol. Xanthohumol is known to have powerful anti-cancer properties that help fend off cancer-causing enzymes in the body. Specifically, moderate beer consumption helps prevent a certain chemical reaction that can lead to prostate cancer in men. Beer has also been shown to reduce the chances of getting breast cancer in women.
# Manage blood pressure
You may also be interested to know that beer can help manage blood pressure. That’s according to a Harvard study that found that women aged 25 to 40 who drank beer moderately were significantly less likely to develop high blood pressure compared to women who drank wine or other alcoholic beverages.