‘Superfood’ isn’t a term that most people immediately connect with beer. While beer might be connected in many minds to bad-habit snacking, there is a different side to it. If you limit yourself to a few drinks, beer is a good addition to your lifestyle because it occasionally helps your health and adds flavour and freshness. While beer is known for pairing with healthy meals, certain elements in hops and grains also contribute to its role in health.
Surprisingly, newer studies dedicated to beer have uncovered various benefits associated with drinking it. Of course, beer cannot and will not replace healthy food. And yet, it seems that the bad reputation it has gained over the years might not be fully deserved.
First Things First: Moderation Is Key
Before we start praising beer for its benefits, it is crucial to get one main thing straight – it only works with moderate beer consumption. The generally accepted norms as of today are one drink per day for women and up to two for men (at least this is what the majority of health guidelines say).
Like with any other alcohol, drinking too much beer easily leads to a long list of health issues – addiction, heart issues, liver damage, hormonal issues, and so on. So, any benefits beer has are for sure not a green light to start drinking it in pints every day. However, in small amounts, it does have certain perks.
What’s in Beer, Anyway?
Beer has long been considered empty calories, but in fact, it is made of natural ingredients – water, barley or other grains, hops, and yeast. The mix of these ingredients and their reaction with each other gives beer the following useful things:
- B vitamins (especially B3, B6, and B9);
- Silicon, which supports bone health;
- Antioxidants, mainly from hops and barley;
- Small amounts of minerals like magnesium and potassium.
Of course, beer is not a vitamin supplement. But compared to other alcoholic drinks, it does have many vitamins!
Beer Might Be Good for Heart Health
Some studies even reveal that having a moderate beer intake may lower your risk of heart disease. It may come as a surprise that drinking moderate amounts of beer can help the heart. Some research suggests it may lower high blood pressure and ensure a smoother heart rhythm.
In some situations, consuming beer has been demonstrated to benefit blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and raise HDL cholesterol levels. Many of the health benefits are thought to originate from the hops’ antioxidants, which may safeguard the heart when people drink beer sensibly.
Beer Can Support Stronger Bones
As a mineral that nourishes bones, dietary silicon can be found in some craft beers. Studies have found that drinking a moderate amount of beer may improve bone density in individuals past middle age.
That said, some beers do not share the same levels of silicon. In comparison, pale ales are more likely to have a lot of this brewing ingredient, as do dark beers and light lagers.
Beer Might Help Brain Health
Consuming a lot of alcohol is bad for the brain, however, some research has shown that low-to-moderate beer can help lower the risk of memory or mental decline. The heart health-boosting antioxidants were also beneficial for brain cells by helping to protect them from damage.
While beer may not nourish your mental faculties, its ingredients benefit your health and support brain function. As before, the key is to eat in moderation.
Beer May Improve Digestion
Because beer was long ago referred to as “liquid bread,” this is true. Beer from barley contains fibre, and unfiltered and craft beers have low levels of probiotics. Both can improve the health of your digestive system and gut.
Hops production of gastric acid could aid the body in digesting food better. Certain cultures view bitter beers as a way to aid in digestion.
Beer Can Help You Relax
This one might be obvious, but worth noting. Beer can help reduce stress, relax tense muscles, and promote a sense of calm. After a long day, sipping a cold beer in a cozy setting might just help both the body and the mind unwind, especially if doing something you enjoy, like watching a favourite show or playing with bonuses without wagering.
It must be kept in mind that using alcohol as a regular stress reliever can backfire. Healthy ways of coping with stress are necessary – exercise, proper nutrition, fresh air, and enough sleep are a must. However, it seems that we should start including beer in our health-focused lifestyle.
What Kind of Beer Is “Healthier”?
If someone wants to drink beer for its health perks (and taste), going for more natural, less processed brands is usually best. Here are a few tips:
- Look for unfiltered beers, which may have more nutrients and even some probiotic content.
- Choose craft beers with simple ingredient lists.
- Avoid super-sweet or overly processed beers, which may be loaded with sugar or artificial flavours.
You can greatly improve your beer drinking experience if you eat some nutritious snacks along with it. Turning down the chips and getting old cheeses, slices of smoked almonds or authentic cured meats makes for a better, richer snack. It also means you can enjoy different craft beers and avoid drinking too much of just one.
