Beer is a well-known beauty ingredient, used in shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, and other skincare products. But what a lot of people don’t know is that beer is a beverage that can be extremely beneficial to the health, if consumed wisely. Multiple research studies show that the consumption of beer could play a role in improving various health conditions.
This article will guide you through those health benefits and will show you why drinking a beer a day can be beneficial!
Let’s get started!
This article does not intend to stimulate or motivate the readers to drink (start drinking) beer or any other type of alcohol for recreational, medical, or other purposes. The information presented in this article is strongly and solely for educational purposes. RawBeautySource warns its readers to be careful with alcohol consumption and educate themselves about the health harms that those beverages may cause.
Is it healthy to drink beer everyday?
Well, it depends! Various studies have looked into the nutritional value of beer and it’s potential health benefits. And indeed the limited consumption of beer was found to have potentially valuable health benefits, including digestion support, lower risk of heart disease and cancer development, improved kidney health.
Digestion support
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests that beer may stimulate the production of stomach acid, and therefore facilitate the digestion process. The research also found out that the bitter the beer, the higher its potential to stimulate the stomach’s gastric acid response.
That being said, proper digestion process plays a role in ensuring a positive balance of stomach and gut bacteria, and proper absorption of food nutrients. What is more, having a healthy digestive system may be associated with improved synthesis of vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin), which is vital for the health of the nervous and cardiac system, the brain, bone structure, etc. [1]
Heart disease prevention
According to Dr. J. Michael Gaziano’s words in 2018 Harvard Health Publishing Post, one alcoholic drink a day may reduce the risk of heart disease.
That being said, a 2017 study suggests that the limited and controlled consumption of alcohol may actually slower the decrease in HDL (good cholesterol) and balance the levels of LDL (bad cholesterol). [2] Besides, the study looked at the effect of beer on cholesterol and suggested that moderate beer consumption can be associated with increased HLD and reduced total cholesterol levels.
Kidney health
It may sound surprising, but drinking a can of beer may actually reduce the risk of kidney stones formation by 41%, according to a study in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
Reduced risk of cancer
Beer is rich in xanthohumol, which is a flavonoid derived from hops. Studies have found that this particular compound may help you protect the body cells from DNA damage and cancer development. [2]
Improved cognitive function
A review of 143 studies suggests that moderate social drinking can in fact improve brain function and reduce the risk of age-related dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by 23%. [3]
That being said, going out with friends for a beer can benefit both your mental health by having a good time, and your brain functions!
Longer life
A 2018 study including 99,654 adults suggests that people who drink 1 alcoholic drink per day may have lower mortality risk, compared to individuals who don’t drink at all. [4]
This way, controlled and limited beer consumption can actually increase your life longevity!
Why is beer unhealthy?
Frequent, binge, or overconsumption of beer (or any alcohol) increases the risk of addiction, liver damage, light blood pressure, heart disease, reduced brain function, diabetes, and increased mortality. And those factors should not be neglected!
Unwise alcohol consumption is a major problem not only in the US but all over the globe, therefore, using alcohol for health conditions treatment should be avoided (especially when it comes to drinking large amounts).
Doctors do not recommend regular alcohol consumption (even moderate), as it may trouble the treatment plan for particular health conditions and may limit the effect of vital prescribed medications.
For that reason, always consult with your healthcare provider whether drinking alcohol (even 1 glass a day or in a week) is suitable for your particular health condition.
How much beer is too much?
As mentioned in the previous section, most of the studies suggest that drinking 1 alcohol beverage a day ( 12-ounce / 350ml can or bottle of beer ) can offer you optimal health benefits.
Conclusion
If you thought that going out with friends and having a beer is a bad habit, think again. In the right amounts, it can even benefit you! But don’t forget: do not go overboard with alcohol consumption and don’t start drinking if you are a non-drinker!
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