Healthy side of beer revealed
Leading medical and scientific experts from around Europe shared the latest scientific evidence on the role responsible beer drinking can play in a healthy diet and lifestyle at the event in Brussels.
Many of the health benefits of moderate beer drinking are unique to beer because of its ingredients such as hops and malted barley. Of all the alcoholic drinks on the market beer is also relatively low in alcoholic strength.
Chairman Professor Jonathan Powell of the Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research in Cambridge said: "The media and public tend to focus on wine. However, the emerging evidence is the real benefits are related to the alcohol itself and so the positive story also relates to other drinks such as beer.
"Drinks such as beer have other nutrients and properties that can also be beneficial in terms of health. This conference is about redressing the balance."
Researched unveiled at the conference revealed that moderate beer drinking:
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
- Helps keep blood pressure down and reduce the risk of stroke
- Benefits the immune system meaning healthy adults are less prone to get infections
- Has anti-inflammatory effects which contributes to heart health
- Could play a role in the battle against osteoporosis as it
- Improves bone mineral density which contributes to healthy bones
- Helps fight cancer because of compounds in hops called flavinoids
- Decreases the risk of dementia due to its beneficial effect on preserving brain function in old age
- Can protect against type II diabetes.
