The next time your partner, roommate or mother starts bitching about the bottles piling up in your recycle bin, here’s a whole new belt load of ammunition to defend your love of beer.You have the researchers at the Mediterranean Neurological Institute in Italy to thank for these recent findings. They devoted themselves to reviewing over 150 studies on ale, stout and lagers. Their conclusion? Beer is good for you.
Of course, there’s a caveat. There always is. I’d love to give you free license to drink ‘til you drop, but I must regretfully break the news that less is more. The recommended limits are up to 2.8 pints a day for men, and half of that for women, depending on size. Drinkers who binge or regularly consume large amounts of alcohol put themselves at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. So bring your common sense, and come discover…
The Wondrous Miracles of Beer
Help out your heart! Moderate beer drinkers had a 42% lower risk of heart disease compared to non-drinkers. In fact, beer may cut your risk of atherosclerosis by as much as half. When your arteries feel that pleasant beer buzz, they relax and become more flexible; blood flow improves significantly. Dark ales and stouts are particularly beneficial.
Prevent kidney stones! Having to pee more often has surprising benefits. While admittedly annoying in the middle of the night, increased urine flow, along with more diluted urine, reduces the risk of stones forming.
Boost your creativity! You’re probably not as clever as you think you are, but you might actually be a bit wittier after a draft or two. Men in a study also solved puzzles a few seconds faster than their sober test partners.
Improve your vision! Canadian researchers found that one beer a day, especially lager or stout, increased antioxidant activity that helps prevent cataracts from forming. Unfortunately, they found exactly the opposite effect in subjects who had three or more drinks a day.
Chill, bro! Beer drinkers are far less prone to develop high blood pressure.
Bounce back faster! In one study, people who had a post-workout beer were slightly more hydrated than those who had H2O. However, considering the narrow margin of difference, I suspect that this study was conducted by people who really like beer.
Prevent a fracture! One to two beers a day could actually strengthen your bones. It is known to contain high levels of silicon, an element that promotes bone growth. According to a study at Tufts University, moderate drinkers had 4.5% greater bone density than non-drinkers — but more than two beers caused up to 5.2% lower density.
Reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes! A study at the Harvard School of Public Health found that the alcohol content in beer increases insulin sensitivity, which helps prevent diabetes. Beer also provides soluble fiber — a nutrient that helps to control blood sugar.
Sleep like a baby! As if you haven’t noticed, beer helps put you to sleep. It stimulates the production of dopamine, which is often prescribed for insomnia. In fact, just one sip of beer increases levels in the brain — a mere 15 millilitre serving is all you need to calm you right down. It doesn’t take a six pack. Binge drinkers, take note.
Boost your immune system! According to an Oregon Health & Science University study, one or two beers a day might help you fight off infections. However, drinking heavily has the opposite effect.
Beer improves digestion! Those bitter hops help release gastric acid, break down food in the stomach and assist your gut in fighting off harmful bacteria.
Beer might even cure cancer! A chemical in beer, Xanthohumol, was successful in halting cancer growth in test rats. If you have rats, you may have to fight them for your beer.
So there you have it! A dozen arguments lauding the virtue of beer. Whether your pleasure is German Bock, Japanese Rice Lager or good old Bud, savor the flavor and ditch the guilt. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured. However, neither is life meant to be spent in an alcoholic daze. You can choose to drink to your health or drink to your own early demise. The choice, as always, is entirely up to you. But please … choose wisely. Your beer buddies will miss you.