I read an article a few months back about the health benefits of beer and I just couldn’t wait to share it. But I wanted to wait for the perfect time. And that time is of course the best sports time of the year… College and NFL Football Season! Yes, the time when the water consumption is replaced with beer consumption…
Sure, we all know that there is no benefit to over-drinking any alcoholic beverage, but with good common sense and moderation, an afternoon of beer and football may actually be good for you!
Here are the pro’s…
Stronger Bones – Beer contains high levels of silicon, which is linked to bone health. In a 2009 study at Tufts University and other centers, older men and women who enjoyed one or two drinks daily had higher bone density, with the greatest benefits found in those who favored beer or wine. However, downing more than two drinks was linked to increased risk for fractures. **For the best bone-building benefits, reach for pale ale, since a 2010 study of 100 types of beer from around the word identified these brews as richest in silicon, while light lagers and non-alcoholic beers contained the least.
Increased Brain Health – A beer a day may help keep Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia at bay, researchers say. A 2005 study tracking the health of 11,000 older women showed that moderate drinkers (those who consumed about one drink a day) lowered their risk of mental decline by as much as 20 percent, compared to non-drinkers. In addition, older women who downed a drink a day scored at about 18 months “younger,” on average, on tests of mental skills than the non-drinkers.
Guarding Against Stroke – Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that moderate amounts of alcohol, including beer, help prevent blood clots that block blood flow to the heart, neck and brain—the clots that cause ischemic stroke, the most common type.
Antioxidant Rich – Beer has plenty of antioxidants, which help reverse cellular damage. For this health benefit, it’s better to have a dark beer since they have more antioxidants than light beers.
Better Heart Health – Researchers in a study of over 200k people saw a 31 percent lower risk of heart disease than those who drank about a pint of beer daily, while risk surged in those who guzzled higher amounts of alcohol, whether beer, wine, or spirits. Studies also show that moderate drinking trims the risk of heart attack and dying from cardiovascular disease by 25 to 40 percent. A beer or two a day can help raise levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol that helps keep arteries from getting clogged.
These are just a few, but keep in mind that for some of us the reward of drinking one or two beers a day may unfortunately not out-weigh the risk. So be smart, and enjoy the football season!
