When most people think of the relationship between beer and their bodies, images of the ever-dreaded beer belly flash through their mind. But what if we told you that's not the whole story when it comes to kicking back with a cold one?
Research has consistently shown that moderate—yes, we said moderate—consumption of beer can actually improve your health, from reducing your risk of heart disease to strengthening your bones.
Get buzzed off the best beer benefits, and lose the guilt over your nightly ale.
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10 Health Benefits of Beer
Written by
Jackie Veling
Decreases the Risk of Heart Disease
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Much like wine, beer also helps reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering inflammation in the body, thinning the blood and preventing clots, which can block your coronary arteries.
Research has shown that dark ales and stouts are especially effective in reducing your risk of heart disease.
Research has shown that dark ales and stouts are especially effective in reducing your risk of heart disease.
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Nutrition TipsIncreases Good Cholesterol
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In addition to reducing your risk of heart disease, drinking beer can also lead to higher levels of high-density lipoprotein—otherwise known as good cholesterol—in your body. This good cholesterol helps remove low-density or bad cholesterol and plaque buildup in the arteries.
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Nutrition TipsStrengthens Your Bones
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Osteoporosis is a concern for most aging Americans, but especially for women. The good news? Beer can help.
Beer contains dietary silicone, which supports bone health and development, and numerous studies have found that beer drinkers have increased bone density and are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis than non-drinkers.
Beer contains dietary silicone, which supports bone health and development, and numerous studies have found that beer drinkers have increased bone density and are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis than non-drinkers.
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Nutrition TipsBoosts Nutrients
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Beer may seem like nothing more than empty calories, but it actually contains a host of nutrients that can support your overall health.
The nutrients depend on the individual beer, but since most brands are made with whole grains—think wheat, maize or rice—and fruits and spices, you're usually ingesting soluble fiber and even small amounts of iron, potassium and magnesium.
The nutrients depend on the individual beer, but since most brands are made with whole grains—think wheat, maize or rice—and fruits and spices, you're usually ingesting soluble fiber and even small amounts of iron, potassium and magnesium.
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Nutrition TipsReduces Risk of Kidney Stones
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In addition to the nutrients above, beer is over 90 percent water—an important defense in preventing painful kidney stones. A study in Finland actually found that drinking a bottle of beer each day can reduce the risk of kidney stones by up to 40 percent.
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Nutrition TipsReduces the Risk of Stroke
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Blood flow improves significantly after drinking alcohol, including beer, thanks to its ability to thin the blood and prevent small clots that can block arteries in the heart, neck and brain. This reduces your risk of ischaemic strokes , the most common type of stroke, anywhere from 25 to 40 percent.
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Nutrition TipsLowers Risk of Diabetes
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According to the CDC, around 29 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. Beer may be one way to lower your risk.
A Harvard study found that middle-aged men were able to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by moderately increasing their alcohol consumption, which in turn boosted their insulin sensitivity.
A Harvard study found that middle-aged men were able to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by moderately increasing their alcohol consumption, which in turn boosted their insulin sensitivity.
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Nutrition TipsImproves Eye Health
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Beer's antioxidants, particularly those found in ales and stouts, can actually help protect your eyes by preventing mitochondrial damage. Damage to the mitochondria is responsible for cataracts later in life. According to a study from the University of Western Ontario, one beer a day can minimize the risk.
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Nutrition TipsBoosts Mental Health
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It's no secret that a few sips of alcohol can relieve stress, and beer is no different. Even merely tasting beer can increase the amount of dopamine in your brain, leaving you feeling calmer and more relaxed. Some studies also suggest that drinking beer can protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
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Nutrition TipsMinimizes Cancer Risk
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Perhaps beer's most touted and promising health benefit is its containment of the flavonoid compound xanthohumol, which is found in the hops used to brew beer. This powerful antioxidant has been to shown to potentially reduce cancer risk, specifically prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women.
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Nutrition TipsAbout the Author
Jackie Veling is a past Senior Editor at ACTIVE.com. She’s passionate about overall wellness and body positivity, and her favorite way to stay active is through running. You can follow her on Twitter.