8 Ways Beer Is Actually Good for You (2024)

Home Healthy Habits

ByVanessa Voltolina

Updated: Nov. 03, 2020

    Who knew?! From helping your heart to fighting cavities, a daily brewski (or two) can boost your health.

    8 Ways Beer Is Actually Good for You (1)

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    Move over, vino! Beer’s good for your ticker, too

    Is beer good for you? Well, it’s good for your heart, and there is science to back that up. Wine often takes center stage during heart-health discussions. But don’t shortchange the health benefits of beer. According to a study done by researchers atthe University of Cambridge and University College London drinking one pint of beer a day has been linked to a reduced risk of developing some cardiovascular diseases. The study analyzed the electronic health records of nearly 2 million healthy UK adults. People that were moderate drinkers were less likely to see a doctor for seven conditions including heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots than those who were heavy drinkers or didn’t drink at all.

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    Beer may protect against rheumatoid arthritis

    Alcohol, including beer, has anti-inflammatory properties, which is likely why it is linked with such positive implications for heart health, as well as other diseases triggered by inflammation. A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, which included 1.9 million participants from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), found that women who drank two to four times per week had a 31 percent decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis compared to their fellow teetotalers. Use these tricks to open a beer without a bottle opener if you’re ever in a pinch.

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    Beer is an antimicrobial for your mouth

    Beer and hops (as well as red wine and coffee) contain antimicrobial compounds that may help fight unwelcome oral germs linked to plaque and gum disease. While one of the benefits of beer is a healthier smile, that doesn’t mean you should skip brushing and flossing altogether. They’re still necessary to have good oral health.

    8 Ways Beer Is Actually Good for You (4)

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    Beer could protect your eyesight

    Could drinking beer set you up for better long-term ocular health? Perhaps. A 3,654-person study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found participants with moderate alcohol consumption had a 50 percent lower incidence of cataract surgery (versus non-drinkers and heavy drinkers) over a period of five to ten years. Antioxidants in wine and beer may be responsible for these benefits; a number of studies show that cataracts and macular degeneration are more prevalent when a diet is low in antioxidants. We’ll toast to that!

    8 Ways Beer Is Actually Good for You (5)

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    Beer could reduce your risk of kidney stones

    Kidney stones are tiny, hard mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys, which may be a result of dehydration or certain food choices. If you’ve ever experienced them, you know that they can be very painful to pass. A Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology study following almost 200,000 participants found those imbibing about one beer a day had a 41 percent lower risk of forming kidney stones. Researchers believe this may be due to the diuretic properties of beer and other alcohols. Since there are many benefits of beer, crack open one of these beers that every beer-lover needs to try.

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    Beer may lower the odds of type 2 diabetes

    You hear phrases like “beer belly” and wonder how on earth a brewski could reduce your diabetes risk. But a meta-analysis of 15 studies found that moderate alcohol consumption, including beer, may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 30 percent. There may be many factors at play, including the anti-inflammatory effects of alcohol, according to study authors. Other research in people without diabetes has found positive effects of moderate alcohol consumption on insulin and triglyceride levels. It’s important to emphasize that moderate consumption is key; overdoing it may actually increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. (Be sure to follow these medical guidelines on drinking alcohol as a diabetic.)

    8 Ways Beer Is Actually Good for You (7)

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    Beer can help your bones

    Beer is a rich source of silicon, which is a key part of bone formation and maintenance in the human body. A study done by theInternational Journal of Endocrinologyfound that incorporating silicon into the diet has the potential to prevent and treat osteoporosis, especially in post-menopausal women experiencing bone loss.Other foods that have silicon are whole grains, cereals, and some vegetables including green beans.

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    Beer can keep your brain healthy

    The silicon found in beer can also help your brain. It protects your brain from compounds that can eventually cause cognitive diseases. There is also a study that says a compound found in hops,xanthohumol, supports neuronal cells which can help preventneurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Cheers to a long, healthy life! Now that you can answer the question, “Is beer good for you?” with a confident, “Yes!”, check out the best craft beer in every state.

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    Originally Published on Reader's Digest

    8 Ways Beer Is Actually Good for You (2024)

    FAQs

    Why beer can be good for you? ›

    Though beer is often viewed as empty calories, it contains some minerals and vitamins. In addition, both types contain small amounts of potassium, calcium, thiamine, iron, and zinc. The content of B vitamins and minerals is a result of beer being made from cereal grains and yeast.

    How bad is 4 beers a day? ›

    The patterns below are considered “heavy” drinking,16,17 which markedly increases the likelihood of AUD and other alcohol-related harms: For women—4 or more drinks on any day or 8 or more per week. For men—5 or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week.

    Is 2 beers a day bad? ›

    The authors of the study found that drinking a moderate amount of alcohol often can cause the volumes of white and gray matter to shrink in the brain. More importantly, they found that just drinking two beers each day could cause damage similar to 10 years of aging.

    Why is beer so good? ›

    The real appeal of beer comes from its ability to generate the perfect buzz. There's a solid and scientific explanation behind why beer buzz is one of the best feelings anyone could ever have. In a nutshell, beer helps to boost the production of endorphins, otherwise known as the feel-good hormones.

    Is 3 beers a day bad? ›

    According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking is considered to be in the moderate or low-risk range for women at no more than three drinks in any one day and no more than seven drinks per week. For men, it is no more than four drinks a day and no more than 14 drinks per week.

    Is drinking 6 beers a day bad? ›

    Consuming six beers a day can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), one of the most important risk factors for premature death due to its role in promoting conditions like heart disease and stroke.

    What does 40 years of drinking do to your body? ›

    Long-Term Health Risks. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.

    Can 3 beers a day cause liver damage? ›

    Any amount of alcohol can cause liver damage. Drinking more than two drinks per day consistently increases your risk of liver disease. However, the degree of liver damage varies greatly between individuals and there is no “safe” amount of alcohol to drink that cannot potentially cause liver disease.

    Is 5 beers a night too many? ›

    NIAAA defines heavy drinking as follows: For men, consuming five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week. For women, consuming four or more on any day or 8 or more drinks per week.

    Is beer good for hair? ›

    Maintains the health of your hair

    Nutrients like folate, calcium, zinc, biotin, and vitamin D are present in Beer. These elements play a crucial role in maintaining good hair health.

    Is beer healthier than soda? ›

    Nutrition: co*ke has absolutely no nutritional benefit.

    It has lots of sugar and higher sodium content than beer. Beer on other hand has trace amounts of protein and has higher potassium content and antioxidants.

    Why do men love beer? ›

    This would help explain why research shows that even smelling or tasting beer can trigger the release of dopamine which, in turn, can improve a man's mood. As an added bonus, beer also tends to be high in vitamin B6, which helps the body produce serotonin, which is a mood stabilizer.

    Why is beer so addictive? ›

    Drinking alcohol causes your brain to release dopamine and more endorphins. In addition to producing feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, these chemicals also act as natural painkillers. Different people's brains react differently to alcohol and may have a genetic predisposition.

    Why is beer love? ›

    It Tastes Good

    Some people may argue that this is a controversial reason, since everyone has different tastebuds. We disagree. Since there are so many different flavors of beer out there, someone is bound to find something they like the taste of.

    Why is beer a Superfood? ›

    It is a Good Source of Nutrients

    Unfiltered or lightly filtered beers are a good source of B vitamins including folic acid. Folic acid is proven to prevent heart attacks. Beer contains good anti-clotting ingredients that keep veins and blood vessels clean and healthy.

    Is one beer a day ok? ›

    Limiting yourself to one alcoholic drink a day may not be enough to avoid detrimental impacts to your health, according to a new study co-authored by a Tulane University researcher.

    Why beer is better than other alcohol? ›

    Beer has more antioxidants than hard liquor, but their overall effect is small. Hard liquor, on the other hand, often has fewer or no carbohydrates. Just the idea that beer and hard liquor have health benefits may seem pretty enticing. But like most good things in life, it's a little complicated.

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