You’ll probably thank beer for the extra confidence you needed to approach that pretty girl in the bar or those funny stories you shared during the reunion. It’s also to be blamed for your growing belly. But aside from the usual side effects of drinking beer, it has a number of health benefits you probably didn’t know.
Remember to drink beer in moderation as other health issues may show up if you do excessive drinking.
Cheers!
1. It’s good for your kidney.
Interestingly, drinking may actually do your kidneys more good than harm. According to a recent study that followed more than 11,000 healthy men for 14 years, those who drank at least 7 drinks per week had a 30% lower risk of having elevated blood creatinine levels, a marker of kidney dysfunction, compared to men who drank less.
2. It lowers bad cholesterol.
Moderate consumption of beer, according to a research, has been linked to reduced cholesterol levels in the liver and cholesterol deposits in the aorta. Meanwhile, a separate study suggests that the fiber content of beer actually reduces LDL or bad cholesterol level.
3. It increases your Vitamin B levels.
Beer is actually packed with several B vitamins, particularly B1, B2, B6 and B12. Keep in mind that beer is a great source of vitamin B12, which is an anti-anemic factor not found in many foods.
4. It’s good for your bones.
The increased levels of silicon in beer actually contributes to higher bone density and may help fight osteoporosis, based on the findings of the National Institutes of Health. Beers containing high levels of hops and malted barley were found to be the richest in silicon.
5. It’s a great cure for insomnia.
Are you having trouble getting your much-needed sleep at night? Beer actually contains lactoflavin and nicotinic acid, which can help you get a good slumber.
6. It’s good in preventing blood clots.
A study carried out by researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., has shown that drinking beer decreases the clumping together of platelets, which is essential in the formation of blood clot, which may sometimes lead to a heart attack.
7. It reduces heart attack risk.
A research team based at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania has discovered that beer contains high level of antioxidants which help eliminate harmful chemicals believed to cause heart attacks. In fact, traditional beers like ale and stout can reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis, which happens when artery walls become plugged with cholesterol and other fatty substances.
8. It boosts your memory.
Believe it or not, a daily pint of beer can actually ward off dementia, based on Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort. However, the researchers noted that while moderate alcohol consumption has potential mental benefits, binge drinking is actually harmful to the brain.
9. It reduces stress.
Experts have confirmed that drinking alcohol, including beer, actually relieves stress when consumed in limited amounts in specific situations for certain people. In fact, experts at the University of Montreal have discovered that drinking two glasses of beer day can lessen work-related stress.
10. It will make you look younger.
Drinking one or two glasses of beer may actually slow down the ageing process, according to a study conducted by researchers at the American Society of Human Genetics.