By Jason Cole
It’s a new year. People are contemplating new beginnings and new goals. Many are making resolutions to quit smoking or to lose weight. Some just make a point to be healthier. Some people contemplate their drinking habits and consider drinking less. But can drinking beer be healthy? The answer seems to be yes.
For years, wine has stood out as the healthiest of alcoholic beverages. Studies have shown that a glass of red wine can reduce the risk of heart disease and provide other health benefits. After many of these studies came out, a renaissance in the interest in wine occurred while beer was still thought of as the cause of “beer belly.†But as beer, especially craft beer, is now being considered a more mature beverage and more relevant in our society, there has been an increased interest in studying the health effects of drinking beer.
Consumption of beer for its health benefits is not a novel concept. For centuries beer was regarded as a staple in some cultures. It gave strength and carbohydrates and was used to fend off illnesses or to even cure them. Only recently has beer reentered the public conversation of a healthy lifestyle, as many studies worldwide show moderate and consistent consumption of beer helps reduce certain health risks.
Of course, beer is an alcoholic beverage and any abuse of alcohol is extremely unhealthy – excessive beer intake will increase health risks that moderate consumption decreases. A moderate level of beer is around one to two beers a day for women and one to three a day for men.
At the recent 11th Annual European Nutrition Conference held in Madrid, a beer and health symposium took place. There, researchers shared their findings with the public and colleagues on research into the health aspects of beer. Among the research presented were findings ranging from beer and cardiovascular disease and bone density to beer for athletes and nursing mothers. Jonathan J. Powell, director of studies at Human Nutrition Research, presented his research into the silicon content of beer. Powell concluded that moderate beer consumption contributes to healthy bone structure through its high levels of silicon. His research also noted that moderate consumption of ethanol from beer aids in the fight against bone deterioration.
It also seems beer may help prevent heart disease. Consumption of beer increases high-density lipoproteins, commonly known as “good†cholesterol. Beer is a source of B vitamins folate and riboflavin. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, folate is “essential for the metabolism of homocysteine, and helps maintain normal levels of this amino acid.†High levels of homocysteine can contribute to heart disease.
From 1999 to 2005, the Folate Func Health project in the United Kingdom researched folate and its uses. Among other foods researched, the organization looked into beer. According to their research, one beer has between 30 and 180 micrograms of folate, with an average of around 80 micrograms. This is roughly equal to four pieces of asparagus. The Func Health project studied different styles of beer and how folate levels change during the brewing process. Their study showed that among beers tested, Bavarian wheat beers and Belgian Trappist ales showed the highest levels of folate. The study found that some methods, such as bottle-conditioning, the addition of sugar and yeast during bottling to carbonate beer naturally, may lead to an increase in folate levels. Also, it seems that the more raw ingredients used in beer, like barley, the higher the levels of folate. This is great news for craft-beer drinkers as craft beer uses more barley than the average mass-produced beer and many craft beers are bottle-conditioned. Learn more about this interesting project at ifr.ac.uk/folate/Final_Project_Report.pdf
As 2012 begins, craft beer is entering a bold new era. Never before has craft beer been as popular as it is today – not only in bars and restaurants but now in doctors’ offices and health stores. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but a beer or two a day may help you too! For more information on the health aspects of beer, check out CraftBeer.com or Beerandhealth.eu