One of the most popular drinks worldwide is beer. In 2012 global beer consumption amounted to 187.37 million kilolitres marking its 27th consecutive year of growth.
China drinks the most beer of any country globally, but only because of the country’s massive population. If we look at the country that drinks the most beer per capita, the honour goes to the Czech Republic, where citizens average 143 litres of beer a year per person. Germany comes in second with 110 litres per person. For example, during the 2014 well-known Oktoberfest (that curiously takes place in September), 6,7 million litres of beer were consumed during the two weeks of the festival.
But, when talking about alcoholic beverages, the question always arises: is it healthy to drink beer, and if so, which is the beneficial amount?
What are the benefits of beer for health?
Drinking beer is related to the so-called beer belly, especially in middle-aged men. But a recent study performed by the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and the Department of Nutrition at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Complutense University of Madrid refutes the myth that beer is responsible for it.
As shown in the study, a glass of 200 millilitres of beer contributes only 84 calories, so consuming a daily beer is a “tiny” percentage of the recommended daily caloric intake: 2,000 calories for women and 2,500 for men.
Another conclusion of the study reveals that people who have a moderate and regular consumption of beer have a better body composition than no beer drinkers, especially in men.
Previous to this study, several European studies have suggested that low-alcohol beverages such as beer or other fermented beverages may be included in a diet like the Mediterranean while no exceeding 20 or 30 grams of alcohol a day.
According to one of the study coordinators, the cause of the beer belly may be other factors like improper eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and genetic components, which favour this type of obesity and influence body composition more than the amount of beer consumed.
Furthermore, and consistent with previous investigations on alcohol consumption, research indicates that moderate beer consumption positively influences blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
But there are even more benefits of drinking beer moderately since hops and malt, from which the beer is brewed, have antioxidant protection, helping to prevent several conditions. It also acts as a regulator of serum cholesterol and increases the concentration of HDL or good cholesterol and a decrease in LDL or bad cholesterol.
Although beer drinking is generally associated with men, drinking beer may benefit women. According to the National Institutes of Health, components of the beer may be important for the growth and development of bone and connective tissue and help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. However, some researchers state that to get this benefit, 2 litres of beer a day are needed!!
So, we can conclude that drinking beer in the right place, at the right moment, and with moderation will make you live longer and be happier.
Cheers!!!
Do you like beer? What do you usually drink when you go out with your friends?
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