Beer studies, a healthy beverage
Rich in vitamins, proteins, folic acid, and antioxidants, some studies on beer indicate that its moderate consumption is associated with cardiovascular benefits, bone health, and even obesity. Of course, always within a balanced diet.
We have often blamed beer for that belly that spoils our physical appearance, but there are more and more studies that also link it to positive health effects. Just a few days ago, the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO), in collaboration with the Beer and Health Information Center, launched an information campaign in hospitals on the benefits of moderate consumption of this drink on cardiovascular risk, osteoporosis, and obesity problems.
In February of this year the study Beer, Mediterranean Diet and Cardiovascular Disease, carried out by the Hospital Clínic, the Universities of Barcelona and Malaga, and the Carlos III Health Institute, among other institutions, was also presented, which concluded that moderate beer consumption produces positive effects about cardiovascular disease.
This research, part of the Predimed study, involved 1,249 participants with high vascular risk and analyzed the relationship between moderate beer consumption, cardiovascular risk factors, diet, and physical activity. According to the researchers, people who regularly consumed beer in moderation had a lower incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels than non-drinkers.
Beer is rich in nutrients
According to the Beer and Health Information Center, this food has very valuable nutritional properties for the organism:
Folic acid;
Proteins;
Carbohydrates, some in the form of soluble fiber;
Minerals such as phosphorus, silicon, potassium, and sodium (the latter in small amounts);
B vitamins (niacin, pyridoxine, and riboflavin) and folates. It is also rich in hops, a substance containing polyphenols (flavonoids) with antioxidant properties and beneficial effects on aging and cardiovascular risk;
The caloric intake may vary according to the different types of beer and their carbohydrate content but ranges from 45 kcal/100 ml for traditional beer to 17 kcal/100 ml for non-alcoholic beer.
How to drink beer
The experts insist on the importance that the consumption of beer, in healthy people and outside of pregnancy, should be moderate: in the case of women, one or two beers a day; in men, two or three. On the other hand, those people who follow a diet should previously quench their thirst with water or an infusion and should always choose non-alcoholic beers.
Do not forget that all the benefits mentioned above are part of a balanced diet and moderate consumption of beer since excessive alcohol intake always hurts our health and quality of life.
What happens if you drink 1 beer every day? If you drink beer every day and in high quantities, you can develop dependence and alcoholism. In the long run, heavy and binge drinkers have a much higher risk of premature death than those who drink moderately or do not consume alcohol at all.
