Beer: A 12-pack of Health Facts
Growing evidence supports the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, but some studies suggest otherwise. Look here for the pros and cons of drinking beer.
Alcohol abuse is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, causing disease and injury and resulting in about 2.5 million deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization. In some population groups, however, low levels of alcohol use may have a beneficial effect on some diseases.
Beer is the most frequently consumed alcoholic beverage in the world and the third most popular beverage overall. And growing evidence supports the nutritional and health benefits of moderate consumption of alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Beer may not have the reputation for health benefits of red wine, but more and more examples are being discovered. The slides that follow are a concise summary of the health pros and cons of drinking beer.
Alcohol and Health: Yea or Nay? The harmful use of alcohol is a major factor contributing to death, disease, and injury, but low levels of alcohol use may have a beneficial effect on some diseases.
Most Popular Beverages in the World: 1. Water 2. Tea 3. BeerMore information, here.
One of the world's oldest prepared beverages, perhaps dating back to 9500 BC. Early European beers contained fruits, honey, plants, spices, and narcotic herbs-but not hops. In 1516, the Reinheitsgebot (purity law) allowed only water, hops, and barley-malt as ingredients. In 1607, the first shipment of beer arrived in the Virginia colony from England.
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Belly Up to the Bar: Beer Myths & Misconceptions. Myth: Beer causes beer belly. Fact: Beer belly results more from genetics than from drinking beer. Myth: Dark beer is higher in calories. Fact: Beer color relates to how deeply the malted barley is roasted. Calories relate more directly to fermentation. Myth: Beer is bad for your health. Fact: Consumed in moderation, beer has proven health benefits.
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Some Reasons Why Beer is Good for You,: Having 1 or 2 drinks of beer, white wine, or liquor per day reduces men’s risk of diabetes by 36%.(1) Responsible drinkers are thinner, on average, than persons who do not drink. More reasons: Anticancer properties. Reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Increased bone density. Prevention of dementia and coronary disease. Aid to the digestive system. Anti-aging properties.
More information, here.And, here.
Drinking Drawbacks: Alcohol interacts negatively with medications (eg, antihistamines, acetaminophen). Alcohol can cause a range of birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome. Long-term heavy drinking may cause liver disease, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and pancreatitis.
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Beer Ups Cancer Risk. Light to moderate drinking is associated with minimally increased risk of overall cancer. For men who have never smoked, risk of alcohol-related cancers is not appreciably increased for light and moderate drinking. For women who have never smoked, risk of alcohol-related cancers increases even within the range of up to 1 alcoholic drink a day.
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Healthier Heart Choice: Beer or Wine? Some studies have suggested that red wine offers more cardiovascular benefits than beer or spirits. Red wine may contain more and more various substances that could prevent blood clots, relax blood vessel walls, and prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. In practice, beverage choice appears to have little effect on cardiovascular benefit.
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But Frequency Matters. In one study, moderate drinkers were 30% to 35% less likely to have had a heart attack than nondrinkers. This study suggests that drinking frequency matters: Men who drank every day had a lower risk of heart attack than those who drank once or twice a week.
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Getting Philosophical. He is a wise man who invented beer.-Plato. Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.-Benjamin Franklin. Ah, beer. The cause of and the solution to all of life’s problems.-Homer Simpson.
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A Toast to Your Health! Beer has not yet gained the healthful reputation that wine has, but more and more benefits are being discovered.