By Dan Ritchey
Most people in society would say that consuming alcohol is bad, and drinks like beer are associated with many negative connotations and bring to mind images of drunken frat boys doing wild and stupid acts. However when consumed in moderation, I wanted to know if there are actual health benefits to be had from the beverage.
As it turns out, people who drink one to two alcoholic drinks per day are less likely to suffer from heart disease. Experts believe alcohol improves heart health by making blood less
sticky so it's less likely to clot by increasing levels of "good" HDL
cholesterol while lowering unhealthy LDL cholesterol. Usually red wine gets all the hype, but beer has its own unique benefits. Beer is a good source of fiber, being made from barley. It can also supply the body with B vitamins and even strengthen bones. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website, "While heavy drinking can weaken bones, a couple of beers a day can
make them stronger. Beer is rich in silicon, an element found in few
foods and drinks, which has been linked to stronger bones. In a Tufts
University study, men who drank between one to two beers a day had hip
bone densities three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half times greater than
teetotalers."
References:
Ansel, K. (n.d.). The Health Benefits of Beer from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Retrieved October 9, 2013, from http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442463947
Zelman, K. (n.d.). The Truth About Beer: Calories, Bellies, Nutrition, and More. WebMD - Better information. Better health.. Retrieved October 9, 2013, from http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/truth-about-beer
No comments:
Post a Comment