Helps prevent kidney stones: a study in Finland shows that moderate beer consumption can help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones by as much as 40%. According to the study, this is due to the high water content of beer, which helps to remove harmful toxins from our body. Although drinking wine is related to some reductions in cancer mortality, drinking beer does not seem to have this effect.
Adequate intake of folic acid, at least 400 micrograms per day, when you drink at least 1 alcohol drink per day, seems to reduce this increased risk. In addition to the other vitamins and minerals, beer contains silicon, a bone-forming mineral. This natural source of silica is particularly useful for postmenopausal women. It is important to build your bones through regular weight exercises and high calcium and vegetable intake, but beer can certainly help. In fact, a 2009 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that moderate beer drinkers had a higher bone density than others who drank more or less beers. Several studies show that beer consumption can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Light to moderate alcohol consumption in the year prior to a first heart attack is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality compared to non-drinkers. With established coronary artery disease, consuming 1-14 alcoholic drinks per week, including beer, does not appear to have any effect on heart disease or death from all causes compared to men who drink less than one drink per week. Moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, blood vessel hardening and heart attack by about 30% to 50% compared to non-rimmers. Mild to moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of stroke caused by a clot in the blood vessel, but increases the risk of stroke caused by a broken blood vessel .
This powerful antioxidant has been shown to potentially reduce the risk of cancer, especially prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. Protects against Alzheimer’s disease: Another notable advantage associated with moderate beer consumption is the ability to protect us from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. The silicon content of beer is behind this because it helps protect the brain.
The assessment also found that all types of alcohol were associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, while all types were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Research at Harvard showed that among a group of men who rarely drank and added one or two beers a day to their diet, they even got healthier. The researchers noted that this does not necessarily mean that you have to take consumption to prevent diabetes, but suggests that moderate alcohol consumption is not so bad after all. Italian researchers found that moderate beer drinkers had a 42 percent lower risk of heart disease than non-drinkers. Keep your intake in one pint for maximum protection, about 5 percent alcohol a day, the researchers say. There are indications that moderate alcohol consumption in women who have passed menopause is related to stronger bones.
Despite the healthy compounds identified in red wine, epidemiological studies have not confirmed that a specific type of alcoholic beverage, be it wine, beer or spirits, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Human population studies suggest that mild to moderate amounts of alcoholic beverages are associated with reduced diabetes and cardiovascular risk when consumed in equal amounts. This seems to suggest that alcohol itself, not the specific dos equis beer compounds found in any type of alcohol, has a much greater impact on health benefits. Getting extra folic acid can cancel this alcohol-related increase. An earlier study suggested that obtaining 600 micrograms per day of folic acid could have the effect of moderate combat alcohol consumption at the risk of breast cancer. There was no association with folic acid and an increased risk of breast cancer in women who drank little or no alcohol daily.
The idea that moderate consumption protects against cardiovascular disease is biological and scientific logical. Moderate amounts of alcohol increase lipoprotein levels with high density (HDL or “good” cholesterol) and higher HDL levels are associated with increased protection against heart disease. Such changes would tend to prevent the formation of small blood clots that can block arteries in the heart, neck and brain, the leading cause of many heart attacks and the most common type of stroke. According to a 2011 Harvard study of about 38,000 middle-aged men, those who drank one or two beers daily had a 25% reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Polyphenols in beer fight high blood pressure, alcohol increases good cholesterol and beer lowers fibrinogen levels, a protein that increases blood clotting. All these factors together contribute to a healthier heart and a reduced risk of heart disease. According to the Harvard Nutrition Source website, moderate consumption can be preventive against heart disease and certain types of strokes. But in a slightly less fun state of affairs, studies show that more than four drinks a day will significantly increase your risk. Studies from the American Stroke Association have shown that people who drink moderate amounts of beer can reduce their risk of stroke, understand this, by a huge 50% compared to non-drinkers.