Ahhhhh beer, we love the way it tastes and the way it makes us feel when we make it or enjoy it, but have you ever wondered if it might have any health benefits? If this has crossed your mind, science says you might be in luck!

Before we get to some of the good stuff, there are a couple of things I must mention so bear with me.

I am not a medical professional and the information stated here is taken directly from studies and literature published to reputable scientific, sources. If you wish to visit any of these sources yourself, please feel free to check out the citations! This information is not meant as medical advice, so make sure you always talk to your doctor before making any personal health decisions. Please be aware that any of the statements made as to the possible health benefits of beer, apply only to cases of moderate and responsible consumption.

Alright, so back to my point, could beer have any health benefits?

Well, let us explore what science has to say on the matter. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The good news is, a 12-week study in 36 overweight adults, found that moderate beer intake — one drink for women, two drinks for men per day — improved the antioxidant properties of HDL (good) cholesterol while also improving the body’s ability to remove cholesterol, according to an article from the National Library of medicine.

 Another review from The National Library of Medicine stated that low to moderate beer intake — up to one drink per day in women, up to two for men — could lower heart disease risk to a similar extent as wine. Now if that is not good news for us beer enthusiasts, I do not know what is!

Moderate beer consumption may not just be good for your heart!

Several studies have found that light to moderate alcohol intake appears to reduce insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for diabetes and contributes to the overall risk for developing type 2 diabetes in your lifetime. a large study in over 70,500 participants associated moderate alcohol intake — 14 drinks per week for men and nine drinks per week for women — with a 43% and 58% lower risk of diabetes for men and women, respectively. Well, I do not know about you, but that is surprising news!

Low to moderate beer intake may be linked to stronger bones in men and postmenopausal women and who does not like the sound of good, strong bones?

With those strong bones, you are going to want to have a strong mind too! The good news, light to moderate alcohol intake may lower the risk of dementia. However, it is very important to remember that heavy alcohol intake can instead increase the risk, so always imbibe responsibly. I am, of course, asking nicely.

You might also be surprised to learn that Dr. Tim Cooper himself is a cardiologist, that has spoken in-depth about the potential and promising health benefits of delicious, beer! Cooper’s original founder, Thomas Cooper, even began brewing beer for medicinal purposes to help treat his sick wife’s symptoms.

I hope you enjoyed this little exploration into the subject of what positive impacts beer could potentially have for one’s health. If you wish to learn more, please explore the citations below! Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health!

Cheers,

Robert

 

 

 

 

 

For a list of references that see the list below. 

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

“Cardiovascular Health”

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cardiovascular-disease

National Library of Medicine

“Moderate Beer Intake and Cardiovascular Health in Overweight Individuals”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30189619/

National Library of Medicine

“Effects of moderate beer consumption on health and disease: A consensus document”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27118108/

National Library of Medicine

“Moderate alcohol consumption increases insulin sensitivity and ADIPOQ expression in postmenopausal women: a randomized, crossover trial”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18504547/

National Library of Medicine

“The Relation of Light-to-Moderate Alcohol Consumption to Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Resistance in Nondiabetic Adults: the Moderating Effects of Depressive Symptom Severity, Adiposity, and Sex”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28688095/

National Library of Medicine

“Association between alcohol consumption pattern and the incidence risk of type 2 diabetes in Korean men: A 12-years follow-up study”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28779170/

National Library of Medicine

“Alcohol drinking patterns and risk of diabetes: a cohort study of 70,551 men and women from the general Danish population”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28748324/

National Library of Medicine

“Effects of beer, wine, and liquor intakes on bone mineral density in older men and women”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19244365/

National Library of Medicine

“Effect of alcohol intake on bone mineral density in elderly women: The EPIDOS Study. Epidémiologie de l'Ostéoporose”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10965974/

National Library of Medicine

“Silicon: a review of its potential role in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23762049/

National Library of Medicine

“Alcohol use and dementia: a systematic scoping review”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30611304/

The BMJ

“Alcohol consumption and risk of dementia: 23 year follow-up of Whitehall II cohort study”

https://www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k2927

“ESTERS AND PHENOLS IN BEER. WHAT ARE THEY, AND WHAT DO THEY CONTRIBUTE? PART 1”

https://www.mrbeer.com/blog/post/esters-and-phenols-in-beer-what-are-they-and-what-do-they-contribute-part-1

“ESTERS AND PHENOLS IN BEER. WHAT ARE THEY, AND WHAT DO THEY CONTRIBUTE? PART 1”

https://www.mrbeer.com/blog/post/esters-and-phenols-in-beer-what-are-they-and-what-do-they-contribute-part-2

Dr Tim Cooper - Coopers Brewery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S4nMbjS3js