Beer seems to have received a bad rap this past century of its long and rich history.  Perhaps this is due to the unholy stigma affixed to it from such movements as fundamentalism and the prohibition, or perhaps due to the fact that when it comes to medicinal qualities associated with alcohol, red wine takes the cake.  Thus the inundation of light and low carb beers as lesser evils in the American marketing system.

But nutrition scientists (and we all know scientists know everything) have weighed the indisputable evidence of beer ingredients and have discovered that beer is, in fact, good for one’s health.  A recent study shows that drinking beer in moderation (two 12 ounce brews a day for adult males) is quite beneficial.  In fact, craft beers–those beers that this blog specializes in–are the most medicinal of all.  So please, for your own good, subscribe to this blog!

From a recent Forbes article, here are eight reasons you ought to drink up:

  1. Beer prevents heart disease.   Drinking beer regularly can decrease your chances of heart disease by 35%.
  2. Beer prevents blood clots that lead to stroke.
  3. Beer lowers blood pressure.
  4. Beer increases insulin sensitivity, leaving one less prone to type 2 diabetes.
  5. Beer actually increases brain function, as I suggested in a recent post.  Actually, adults who drink beer regularly are less likely to suffer dimentia after the age of 65.
  6. A review of 50 studies has shown that regular beer drinking prolongs life in generally.  (drink beer, live longer)
  7. The same review shows that beer drinkers (again, moderation) are generally healthier.  They fall ill and make fewer trips to their primary care physician.
  8. Studies have shown that beer may play a role in preventing bone loss and actually strengthens bones, perhaps due to the beverages high silicon content.

Go check the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory and check out the stats on beer.  You will find that beer is far healthier than your dietitian would lend you to believe.  Sure there are a few calories, but there is absolutely no cholesterol.  While you are there, look up the stats for a milkshake or a glass of coke and you will end up patting yourself on the back for ordering that brew with your dinner instead of the Mountain Dew the guy in the booth next to you is slurping down.