A Beer a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Drinking beer can be good for healthy adults, as long as they keep their consumption within reason. Studies have shown that enjoying a cold one is in fact good for the heart and the brain, giving beer lovers all the more reason to enjoy some suds the next time they visit a local pub.
Beer is Good For the Heart
The main way in which a beer can be beneficial is by what it does for the heart. Researchers at Penn State University conducted a study suggesting that a pint of lager can help the body to maintain good, or HDL, cholesterol when consumed in moderation. Beer can also have a positive effect on the lining found in blood vessels, keeping them in good shape and making it less likely for a clot will develop. If a clot does develop, moderate beer consumption can make it more difficult for the vessel to rupture. In fact, men who drink moderately 120 to 365 days a year have a 20% lower cardiovascular death rate than men who drink less than 36 times per year. This study notes that a man should have two drinks per day and a woman one drink per day to receive these benefits.
Prevent Dementia By Drinking Beer
Enjoying a beer or two at the local pub can reduce the chance of ending up with dementia, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003. This study reports that having one to six pints of stout, ale, or any other type of beer weekly reduced the risk of contracting dementia in adults over the age of 65. Although alcohol consumption isn't usually linked to increased cognitive function, this study suggests differently, when consumed in moderation, of course.