The Health Benefits of Beer
Beer has gotten a bad rap over the years as one of the unhealthiest alcoholic drinks. Just the term ‘beer belly’ conjures unpleasant images of overweight and unpleasant bar patrons. Believe it or not though, beer is actually better for you than wine or other alcoholic drinks! Here are the top reasons why drinking beer in moderation is healthy for you.
Liquid Bread
Beer has been around for a long time. Ancient Egyptians were often paid their wages in beer, or had beer included in their rations. Why? Beer contains fiber and protein, as well as a variety of B-Vitamins and minerals like folate, niacin, selenium, and phosphorus. All of these are essential for a balanced diet. There’s a reason why they used to call it liquid bread.
Beer = Silicon
Believe it or not, dietary silicon is an important mineral for healthy bone growth. A few studies have shown that this mineral can actually help slow or stop the effects of osteoporosis. Why is this important? Beer is one of the only natural sources of dietary silicone. Other sources include bananas and string beans, but of the options available, beer is probably the best.
Probiotics
Most of us have seen the commercials for yogurt or other foods that claim to contain probiotics. These active cultures are necessary to maintain the balance of good bacteria in our digestive tracts. They nourish the bacteria so they are able to grow, thrive, and produce little bacteria, so the cycle of healthy digestion can continue. Some studies, as recently as 2015, have shown that many types of beer may contain the same kinds of probiotic cultures. So skip the yogurt and pick up a beer! Unless you like yogurt, which is totally up to you.
All the Antioxidants
Wine, especially red wine, was marketed for years as the sole source of healthy antioxidants in adult beverages. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Beer also contains the same antioxidants that are found in red wines. And what about the resveratrol, the molecule that is supposed to help with aging and is supposedly exclusively found in red wine and dark chocolate? Studies have shown that the amount of resveratrol that we would have to take to have any real effect on aging cannot be found in any food or drink.
It’s Good for Your Heart
And we don’t just mean that in the metaphorical sense. A study conducted in Italy has concluded that drinking beer in moderation, usually just over a pint a day, actually makes you less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. 31% less likely, to be precise. That’s quite an argument for enjoying that after work beer, guilt free!
The key to healthy beer drinking, as with anything, is moderation. Enjoy your libation of choice, but don’t overdo it. No matter how healthy beer may be, it does still contain alcohol and drinking too much can result in liver damage or alcohol poisoning. As long as you keep that in mind though, feel free to eat, drink, and be merry, especially since beer is healthier than you thought!
