Beer is good for your health, with benefits such as lower risk of heart disease and better brain health. But there’s a catch, of course
In celebration of International Beer Day, raise a pint to your health as researchers uncover growing evidence supporting the nutritional and health benefits of moderate beer consumption
Yes, you read that headline correctly. Beer, consumed in moderation, can potentially be good for your health. In celebration of International Beer Day today (it’s celebrated annually on the first Friday in August), we look at some recent studies that have found surprising health benefits from partaking of the tasty beverages.
A recent study published in The American Journal of the Medical Sciences concluded that doctors “should be aware of the growing evidence supporting the nutritional and health benefits of moderate consumption of alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle”.
The study found that beer contains more protein and B vitamins than wine, is high in antioxidants, and brings with it a reduced rate of cardiovascular disease. Of course, there is a serious caveat along with this, as the study notes this only applies to “moderate drinking” – which means one drink per day for women and two maximum for men. It also only works if the rest of your diet is healthy and balanced and doesn’t entirely consist of pub food bought with your pint.
Hongkonger Sisi Yip, who graduated from the University of Leeds in northern England with a degree in nutrition, works as a nutritionist and personal trainer in Hong Kong. She says the interesting thing about beer is that it is loaded with a variety of healthy compounds.
“Beer contains trace amounts of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium, fluoride, and silicon,” she says. “Beer also includes a range of polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids that contribute directly to several beer characteristics such as flavour, haze, body and fullness.”
Yip notes that research has shown polyphenols (naturally occurring chemicals found in plants) can lower the risk of developing atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and heart disease due to their anti-inflammatory effects. In terms of diabetes, xanthohumol, a key ingredient used to make beer, has been found in multiple studies to reduce the likelihood of insulin resistance in mice who were fed high-fat diets. Yip notes that regular beer, as opposed to light or dark, has the highest levels of polyphenols. Non-alcoholic beers have the same health benefits, she added.