To Your Health with Beer!

By now, most of us have happily heard that a daily glass of wine (my favorite!) can be a big health promoter – dozens of studies have shown that the antioxidant compounds in wine (especially reds) can lower heart disease risk.

But surveys show that beer is Americans’ favorite adult beverage—with 46% choosing it most often. There’s just nothing like a tall, cold one after an energetic day of gardening or hiking.
There is increasing evidence that beer in moderation can protect your heart and brain as well as red wine.

Raise a cold one a day (not more than 12 ounces or one regular sized-can) and you’ll:

Protect your heart

Research from the National Institutes of Health show that moderate drinking (a beer a day for women) actually decreases hardening of the arteries by 30%. Since arterial stiffness raises blood pressure and makes your heart work harder, it raises the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Researchers theorize that the alcohol in beer and other alcoholic beverages makes the blood vessels more flexible, like those of a younger person.

Ongoing research also shows that a can of beer a day reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke by up to 50% in both men and women and Harvard research shows that a glass of beer a day (or other alcoholic beverage) raises “good” HDL cholesterol by 10%, helping keep arteries clear of dangerous fatty buildups.

More research at Oregon State University shows the free-radical busting procyanadins in beer may actually help lower LDL or
“bad” cholesterol since they are 10 times more powerful than the super antioxidants vitamins C and E!

Ward off cancer

Researchers at Oregon State University in Corvallis report that the hops in beer is toxic to as many as 60 cancer cell lines, including breast, colon, ovarian and prostate cancer cells – and previous research has shown is may even help prevent certain types of cancer including melanoma and endometrial cancer.

Beer contains a unique and power antioxidant flavonoid called xanthohumol that animal studies have confirmed literally stops the growth of cancer cells in as little as six days.

Other studies suggest that the hops in beer is a good source of plant estrogen, which may be a source of cancer protection.

Japanese research found that drizzling just a few drops of beer on your steak or burger will destroy cancer-causing nitrates found in grilled meat, making it a must-have for your next warm weather barbecue!

Help you stay sharp

A beer or two a day may ward off Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, according to a groundbreaking six-year Dutch study.

People who consumed one to three drinks a day had a 42% lower risk of losing their mental clarity than did teetotalers, while those who drank sparingly—with just over one drink a week – were 25% less likely than non-drinkers to develop dementia.

The powerful antioxidant compounds in beer, especially xanthohumol, protect the neuronal cells and may help reduce the risk of dementia by releasing brain-cell enhancing acetylcholine. Researchers think the alcohol in beer may even help protect the blood vessels in the brain by lessening the formation of plaque in the arteries that is usually found in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Live a long, full, healthy life

A host of other benefits have been attributed to beer drinking, not the least of which is a study from Finland that shows beer drinkers have an average life span two years longer than non-drinkers.

Several studies have shown that beer can help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes and Canadian scientists say it can actually stop cataracts and other eye damage related to high blood glucose levels.

We’re learning more and more every day about these compounds and how healthful they can be.

Warning: All of these studies showed health benefits from drinking beet and other alcoholic beverages in moderation. One or two drinks a day is great, more can get you into trouble quickly.

There are numerous health risks for those who drink too much, including liver damage, declining motor control and even dementia.

A Harvard study shows that women who drink more than 10 alcoholic drinks a week actually increase their risk of high blood pressure by 30%– and increase their risk of breast cancer and stroke.

One study suggests women who take more than one drink a day have a shorter life expectancy than those who do not drink.