15 Reasons Drinking Beer Makes You Live Longer, Says Science
Prost!
IKO-studio / Shutterstock Good news, beer, and alcohol lovers! Your favorite beverage is actually healthy for you.
But, wait. This doesn't mean you have an excuse to start chugging a case of beer. Just like anything good and delicious in this world, you get the health benefits if you consume them in moderation. Beer and alcohol — as much as you'd like them to be — are no exception to the rule.
The team at Hangover Revivol created an infographic that lists all the health benefits of beer (in moderation). Note that the keyword there is "moderation."
But first, what's in beer?
- Vitamin B, riboflavin, niacin, and zinc. One bottle contains 92 mg of potassium, 14 mg of calcium, and 48 mg of phosphorus.
- Fiber. Two glasses of beer is equivalent to 10 percent of the recommended fiber intake.
- Antiviral properties against viruses that cause pneumonia and bronchitis.
- Antioxidants.
- Lactoflavin and nicotinic acid promote restful sleep.
So, what can beer drinkers gain from their love of this popular alcoholic beverage? Besides a great Friday night and being the best guy at the party?
- Moderate beer drinkers are 31 percent less likely to suffer from a heart attack, stroke, or heart disease.
- Moderate beer drinkers are 41 percent less likely to develop a kidney stone.
- Men who drink one or two glasses of beer a day are less likely to develop diabetes.
- Beer's alcohol content raises "good" HDL cholesterol.
- Women lower their risk for rheumatoid arthritis by 31 percent by drinking three to five beers a week.
- Beer makes your bones stronger because of its richness in dietary silicon.
- Beer lowers your risk for cancer, especially prostate cancer in men, because of its antioxidants and flavonoids.
Your brain also benefits from beer:
- It lowers your risk for dementia.
- Women who have at least one alcoholic drink a day retain their mental abilities and memories as they age, compared to women who don't drink, or drink heavily.
- The silicon in beer offsets the damage of high levels of aluminum that cause Alzheimer's disease.
- According to a study, beer can boost problem-solving abilities, as seen in participants with 0.075 blood alcohol content, who were able to solve puzzles much quicker than those who had none.
This all sounds like reason enough to me.
Did you know that beer can also make you look good? Quite literally, too:
- It contains an antioxidant called ferulic acid that protects the skin from damage caused by sunlight.
- Vitamins contained in beer reduce acne and increases natural skin shine and hair growth.
- You can also use beer in your hair. The malt nourishes the hair, while the yeast strengthens it.
But remember to consume in moderation. Having too much may be riskier to your health than beneficial. You don't want to have too much fun.
Source: VITAM8 Revivol Hangover Formula
Caithlin Pena is a writer and editor for YourTango who enjoys books, movies, and writing fictional short stories.