The 10 reasons why drinking beer is GOOD for your health – from preventing heart attack, diabetes and Alzheimer’s
GOOD news fellas - all that beer you've been drinking may actually be good for you.
Yes, you read that right...your favourite tipple can help ward off killer diseases, keep your bones strong and your mind sharp.
Don't get too excited though - you still can't go drinking as much as you like.
It's important to remember to stick within the recommended 14 units of alcohol per week, so about six pints.
Anything more than that is considered drinking in excess and increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, liver disease and some types of cancer.
That doesn't mean you can't enjoy your beer and reap the benefits though.
Here's how beer is good for your health...
1. It protects your heart
A pint a day can slash your risk of heart disease by a third, according to experts from the Mediterranean Neurological Institute in Italy.
In a study of more than one million men and women experts found moderate beer drinkers had a 42 per cent lower risk of heart disease that those who don't drink.
For the best protection they recommended drinking one pint of five per cent alcohol beer each day.
It's not the only study to find beer is good for the heart.
Research presented at the American Heart Association in 2016 found moderate drinkers had the slowest decline in good cholesterol levels and were better protected from heart disease.
2. Prevents diabetes
People who drink three to four times per week are less likely to develop diabetes than those who don't drink, according to a study published in the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
Those who enjoyed one to six beers a week were 21 per cent less likely to develop the disease.
Another study from Harokopio University in Athens studied 1,500 men and found a low daily intake of beer more than halved the rate of diabetes, especially among those who ate healthily.
Beer appeared to stop blood sugar levels rising to dangerous heights and also boosted the body’s response to insulin.
3. Boosts your brain
It's easy to assume that beer makes you dumber, especially after you've seen your mate after a few pints.
But the silicons in beer help protect your brain from a build-up of different compounds that can cause cognitive decline.
Research from Loyola University in Chicago found moderate drinkers were 23 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer's
Lead author Edward Neafsey said: "We don't recommend that nondrinkers start drinking, but moderate drinking - if it is truly moderate - can be beneficial."
Moderate drinking is defined as a maximum of two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
On the other end of the scale, heavy drinking - three to five drinks per day - is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer's.
Another study found people who had drunk a few beers were faster at solving puzzles than their sober counterparts - 30 per cent faster, to be exact.
4. It strengthens your bones
This is down to the same ingredient that protects your brain - silicons.
The silicons in beer may help strengthen your bones, according to a review published in the International Journal of Endocrinology.
Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found men who drank one or two beers a day had higher bone density in the hip than non-drinkers.
But if they had more, their bones became weaker, so stick to the limits.
5. It wards off disease
Studies show that beer can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Why is this so important? Inflammation is the underlying cause behind many diseases.
A study published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research found the hops in beer has anti-inflammatory properties.
When put to the test scientists found hops in beer form interfered with inflammation causing compounds.
An Oregon Health and Science University study also found that having one or two drinks a day can help boost your immune system to fight off infections.
6. Breathe easy
Enjoying a few pints may help protect your lungs.
Research presented at the American College of chest Physicians in 2007 found that moderate drinkers performed better on breathing tests that teetotalers.
Those who drank fewer than two drinks a day were also 20 per cent less likely to develop lung disease than nondrinkers.
A Japanese study also found the hops in beer may help stave off colds and chest infections.
Experts at Sapporo Medical University found that humulone, a chemical compound in hops, was effective against the respiratory syncytial virus and had an anti-inflammatory effect.
7. Lowers blood pressure
As discussed, beer can help protect your heart.
It can also help lower your blood pressure as well.
A study of 70,000 women aged between 25 and 42 found those who drank moderate amounts of beer had lower blood pressure than those who drank moderate amounts of wine or spirits.
But anything more than a moderate amount of booze increased the risk of high blood pressure and associated illnesses.
8. Protects your kidneys
If you've ever known the pain of passing a kidney stone we've got good news...beer can help prevent them.
Scientists from Finland found that for every beer a man drank his risk of developing kidney stones was 40 per cent lower.
It is not entirely clear why that is, but it is thought to be linked to higher fluid consumption keeping the kidneys working a bit harder.
Researchers also believe the hops in beer can help slow the release of calcium in the body, which is responsible for the formation of kidney stones.
9. It's nutritious
OK, you can't go replacing all food with beer and saying you have a nutritious diet.
But beer does contains a good amount of nutrients.
One study found that beer contains more protein and vitamin B than wine, so it's the better choice.
It also contains the same amount of antioxidants as wine.
Some beers also contain niacin, which is good for your hair and skin, and fibre, which is good for your gut.
10. Pearly whites
You probably already know that booze stains your teeth, but beer may actually keep them clean.
That's because it can stop bacteria forming on your gnashers, according to a study published in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology.
Experts tested beer on bacteria that form biofilm that can cause tooth decay and gum disease and found the tipple blocked the activity of the bacteria.
It also stopped the bacteria from being able to communicate with each other, so they couldn't grow.
MORE ON BOOZE
So what's the message after all of this?
A few beers is OK, and can even be good for your health.
But drinking any more than 14 units of alcohol per week is not good for your health and can actually increase your risk of disease.
So go ahead and enjoy a beer, but remember everything in moderation.
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