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The benefits of beer

Posted on Jan 17th 2007 12:31PM by Rigel Celeste

Filed Under: Nutrition & Supplements

There have been a lot of stories lately about the benefits of alcohol, usually wine. But the good news is that many of those great benefits can also be had by drinking the occasional beer. That little bottle of goodness can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, raise your good cholesterol, and reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. There are even benefits for the elderly -- with research showing that beer can have positive effects on blood flow, sleep, and urination.

Beer is fat free, cholesterol free, and definitely what many people consider a lot of fun to drink. Just make sure you don't go overboard, or all those "benefits" are right out the window -- with nasty stuff like liver damage and a beer gut stepping in instead.

And for other drinks that may be healthier than you thought, read here.

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16 Comment

Tags: alcohol, beer, beverage, bud light, BudLight, drink, drinking, miller lite, MillerLite

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Eliot 1-17-2007 @ 7:11PM

My favorite story so far is how beer defeats the carcinogenic compounds in charred foods. Which is why everyone drinks at barbeques I assume. http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050305/food.asp

Big Donald 1-18-2007 @ 9:15AM

If beer is health food, then I am Mr. Universe!

rosie 1-18-2007 @ 9:36AM

I cannot beliefe this statement. My husband drank 3 beers a week is in excellent shape , has high bloodpressure,cholesterol, and had 1 stent put in last year. 3 beers a week did NOTHING. doctor said lay off it alltogether. another survey that is IFFY ??????

Martha Calkin 1-19-2007 @ 11:15AM

I think this beer commercial was paid for by the beer companies.

Patrick Crabtree 1-18-2007 @ 10:56AM

I like to drink beer for all the OTHER benefits that this fine beverage offers. As to the supposed dangers of alcohol and blindness, well, I've seen about everything there is to see already. Old Milwaukee Light is best.

H.B. 1-18-2007 @ 11:32AM

3. I cannot beliefe this statement. My husband drank 3 beers a week is in excellent shape , has high bloodpressure,cholesterol, and had 1 stent put in last year. 3 beers a week did NOTHING. doctor said lay off it alltogether. another survey that is IFFY ??????

Posted at 9:36AM on Jan 18th 2007 by rosie 0 stars

Rosie 0 Stars,
What did your husband eat? does he have a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol? does he have a family history of cardiovascular disease? You have to take everything into account, don't blame beer!

Larry 1-18-2007 @ 12:11PM

The amount ibeer helps cam never never correct any problem that now people claim it can cure....Nothing relplaces good all around nutrition and a good genes and just plain luck

FRED WYREMBEK 1-18-2007 @ 12:11PM

I DON'T KNOW IF THE BENEFITS ARE CORRECT OR NOT. ONE THING THAT SHOULD BE POINTED OUT IS THAT PEOPLE WHO LIKE BEER SHOULD DRINK NON-ALCOHOL BEER. IT TASTES THE SAME AND YOU CAN DRIVE SAFELY. NOT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT OVERDUEING BEER DRINKING CAN DO TO YOUR BODY WITH ALCOHOL.

Larry 1-18-2007 @ 6:10PM

Burp

Horace Gaims 1-18-2007 @ 12:30PM

Some years ago, my urologist told me that I had to make a choice between alcohol and becoming a prime candidate for prostate surgery. As it turns out, I don't miss the stuff one little bit. BR, Horace Gaims

Sherry Keene 1-18-2007 @ 1:00PM

We like to drink the stuff we make ourselves. No additives, no preservatives, just beer. Since it is not pastuerized, the yeast is still alive in there, which saves us the trouble of adding brewer's yeast to our diet. :)

We are thinking of making our own wine as well. I get headaches from the store-bought wine. A friend suggested this might be a result of the sulfites added as a preservative when the wine is bottled. If we make our own, no sulfites, no headaches?

Jac' 1-18-2007 @ 5:33PM

Drink what you want just be safe. We're all gonna die, so you'll die healthier. Whooppiiee.

W.R. Marlowe 1-18-2007 @ 4:39PM

When physicians tell non-drinkers to start drinking, I'll maybe start to believe all this irresponsible "news" about drinking a substance is that clinically a poison.

Beermandude 1-18-2007 @ 4:46PM

as far as your blood, thank your parents for that, life is taking things in moderation, so this Buds on me, peace

Shannon 1-19-2007 @ 3:12PM

Well, My grandfather, a primitive baptist pastor from the 40s to the 90s, was told, in the 70s, to drinka bit of corn whisky by his heart doctor, after a heart attack. he died old and in good health... officially, he was just old. No cancer, good heart, viens, lungs, brain, all other organs... we jsut soemtimes die because our genes are programed fro us to die at a certain age. the corn whisky.. a few shots a day kept him going...

Tex Vanderwater 1-23-2007 @ 9:05AM

I have been drinking beer and smoking non filter
cigarettes since 1959. In the last 25 years I have
drank between 4 and 10 Buds a day, I am very healthy, however, I eat good and get plenty of
excersize. I am very well adjusted and happy. I'll
probably make 80, but I put the blame on genetics
and good friends and a good family. No way would
I suggest any one start drinking, Maybe a glass of
wine with supper.