The benefits of drinking beer

There’s no denial, the beer market is growing more and more each day. There are hundreds of flavors, aromas, and brands around the world. We’re sure there is a beer for every occasion, from a night out with friends to that sophisticated business dinner.

Besides helping us loosen a bit, there are several other reasons( some scientific) capable of turning you into a real admirer. In short, it helps protecting the heart, it increases the immune system, it works as an isotonic drink after intense physical activity, it protects the bones, and it might even make you smarter.

There are those who believe that’s nonsense. But the truth is that the 7th European Congress on Beer and Health, that happened in Brussels back in 2014, reunited about 160 international specialists from 24 different countries so they could share experiences and thoughts about the benefits of drinking beer.

Some of the studies presented during the event revealed impressive results. We got to say there are indeed a few good reasons to consume it every once in a while. And we have saved the most interesting ones for you in this article. Just keep reading to know more.

Less stress and anxiety

Drinking beer regularly helps to decrease stress levels and improves our metabolic efficiency. The research was made between 2008 and 2009 in Santiago, Chile, by Paulette Conget pointed out that lab rats which consumed beer in amounts that followed the international pattern of responsible drinking were less stressed, and capable of improving their capacity of metabolizing carbohydrates.

According to the researchers, the amount considered responsible for an adult person is of approximately two cans, or 700 ml of beer a day. According to another study, from Canada’s Montreal University, drinking two glasses of beer per day may turn into a useful antidote against anxiety and stress - especially if these are caused by the workload.

You become more attractive

Several studies point out to the fact that the moderate beer consumption not only increases self confidence, but also make people more attractive. A research carried out by Glasgow and St. Andrews universities, for example, discovered that men and women who drank a moderate amount of alcoholic beverages found other people 25% more attractive than when they were sober.

It doesn’t make your belly bigger

One of the greatest myths related to beer consumption has finally been disclaimed by nutritionists from the University of Gothenburg. For four years, they observed the weight, the amount of beer consumed per day, and the hip and waist measures of about 20.000 people.

After analyzing the data, the scientists concluded that the consumption of beer does indeed increase the total body fat index, but not necessarily in the abdomen.

“If you drink a lot of beer you’ll probably notice your belly is bigger, but that also happens with someone who drinks wine”, said Kathryn O’Sullivan, a doctor responsible for another research for the Scientific Review.

It makes you smarter

Scientists from Illinois have found out that, after drinking beer, men could solve puzzles much faster than their sober opponents. The discovery was made after a study with 40 men.

Half of them drank two glasses of beer, while the other half drank nothing. Both groups were invited to play a game, in which each member got three words and should think about a fourth connected to them.

In the end, the ones who had drunk were 40% more successful than the others, and in average were able to find the missing word about 2.5 seconds before the others.

It hydrates like water

A researcher from the Granada University, Manuel Castillo, has share the results of a study in which he measured the reaction of the body after ingesting water or beer after intense physical activity.

The conclusion was that a moderate amount of beer does not impair hydration after exercising and it causes the same effect as water.

It stimulates the brain

Studies show that having a beer a day can keep Alzheimer or dementia away. That’s specially valid if you consume it in moderation. In such cases, the risks of developing a mental illness are reduced in up to 20%.

It’s noteworthy that hops, elements present in most beers, also help decreasing the chances of insomnia. In other words, having a beer before you go to bed might just be perfect for a good night sleep.

It is one of the less caloric drinks

According to Scientific Review, beer is less caloric than wine, orange juice, milk or yogurt.

A glass of pilsen carries an average amount of 100 calories. That is less than the calories found in a glass of apple juice (120), milk (134) or fruit yogurt (205).

It enhances longevity

The US Department of Agriculture estimates that those who moderately appreciate drinking beer have less chances of developing cardiac diseases, strokes and diabetes. It means that if you stop after you’ve had one too many, you might actually be building a longer, healthier lifestyle.

It soothes stomach pain

Having a beer might help soothing stomach pain, just as it happens when we have a soft drink. It’s worth reminding, though, that if you suffer from gastric ulcer, you should definitely avoid any kind of alcoholic beverages.

It has lots of vitamins

A Dutch research has proved that the participants who drank beer presented levels up to 30% higher of vitamins B6 and B9, important when it comes to protecting the organism from cardiovascular diseases.

Besides, beer also have vitamin B12 and folic acid.

It avoids cancer

Marinating the meat in beer is the best way to consume red meat, since it eliminates up to 70% of the carcinogens, and drastically reduces the amounts of heterocyclic amines.

It improves sight

Canadian specialists found out that having a lager or a stout a day can improve your sight in the long term. That happens because these types of beer increase the antioxidant activities which decrease the chances of developing cataract. But watch out: the same researches found an opposite effect in participants who usually drank three or more pints a day.

Phew! There are loads and loads of other interesting discoveries. In short, we can say that several studies have found out that beer is also good in battling the flu, making bones stronger, reducing blood pressure, relieving joint pain, improving kidney activity, improving circulation and cicatrization, as well as keeping cholesterol under control.