The positive influence of beer on health has been confirmed by nearly all scientists who have concerned themselves with the subject. Of course, as with all other foods people consume, the amount of beer consumed is important. This fact was first formulated by Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, also known as Paracelus, who is today considered to be the founder of modern pharmacy. Paracelus postulated that the dosage of a substance determines whether the substance is a food, a medicine or a poison.
Beer in moderation is a wholesome beverage, brewed from natural ingredients containing valuable substances in a harmonious composition. Some of which have been used in homeopathy for many hundreds of years. Beer and other alcoholic beverages in excess are as dangerous for human well-being as any other excess.
For many years, the maximum limit for alcohol in moderation was considered to be 80 g per day. In recent years, scientists have made this old rule more precise, now saying that 1 g alcohol per kilogram body weight, is the maximum for a healthy adult. A new American report, "Nutrition and Health", states that 30 ml (roughly 25 g) per day is safe. This is approximately 700 ml entire beer, 1000 ml light beer or 6 liters of non-alcoholic brew.
Is Beer Fattening?
The old saying that beer is "liquid bread" goes back hundreds of years to times when the range of foodstuffs was much narrower and less differentiated. Today beer is nutritional and pleasurable component of an extremely wide variety of very different comestibles.
As the monks of the newly established middle European orders, primarily that of Saint Benedict of Nursia, began to farm, in addition to their missionary activities and monastery duties, the also began to brew beer.
This beer was not only a thirst quencher for the brothers, if brewed till it was strong and thick, it served as a supplement to the meager meals and made the strict fasting periods more bearable. The old rule was: Liquids do not break the fast. Even today in Bavaria, beer is often described as a basic foodstuff.
Beer itself is not very fattening but it stimulates the appetite! The appetite stimulants of beer, hops, alcohol and carbon dioxide, put the stomach in the mood for a good meal. This tempts one to eat more than he really wants and more than is necessary for good health.
In addition, beer is very easy to digest, because its nutrients have already been naturally processed by the malting and brewing so that they can be immediately digested without exertion.
The last two paragraphs must be kept in mind when comparing entire beer's meager 44 kcal/100 g with whole milk's 55, grape juice's 74 or champagne's 80.
A healthy lifestyle and healthy eating habits do not mean beer is taboo. Especially the connoisseur, however, should be nutritionally conscious and nobody should eat or drink more of anything than is good for him.
Beer and Traffic Safety
How much beer may one drink and still drive safely? The best answer is "NONE AT ALL". That is the safest bet. The responsible driver rule is: "Either beer glass or steering wheel, but not both". Of course one glass of beer at lunch or on the way home from work won't make a driver drunk. Still, none is better than one, because the first one makes the driver want a second, and then things start to become dangerous, for the drinking driver and for the people around him.
German brewers have always taken a clear stand toward alcohol and traffic safety. This problem has been attacked in the brewing industry's advertising campaign slogan: "Our beer - enjoyment with common sense!".
German nonalcoholic-beer is produced in a special brewing process.
In view of the above, please do not drink alcoholic beverages before driving, drink instead a cold non-alcoholic brew. German brewers offer this product as a tasty alternative to classic beer. The more than 50 outstanding high quality non-alcoholic brews available in Germany, with tastes varying from "hops-dry" to "malty-smooth" make it easy to "NOT Drink and Drive". With these products the responsible driver or equipment operator can be sure his reactions will not be impaired by alcohol in his blood.
Beer and Life Expectancy
The relationships between nutrition, lifestyle and health have been the subject of many long term experiments.
Beer and Heart Disease
One reoccurring test result is that test subjects who enjoy moderate amounts of alcohol have far fewer heart attacks. Today these epidemiological findings can be physiologically and biochemically explained. Moderate alcohol consumption increases the body's High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol level, which is accepted as an aid to the reduction of deposits on the walls of blood vessels.
Other test results indicate that small amounts of alcohol in the blood reduced the risk of thrombosis and resulted in a much lower incidence of coronary artery occlusion. To sum all this up, a little alcohol leads to improved circulation in the coronary blood vessels and therefore protection against heart disease.
Beer and Cancer
»From time to time one hears in the media that beer consumption can cause cancer. One point must be made clear: According to findings to date - assuming moderate consumption - neither the alcohol in beer nor its alcoholic concomitant compounds nor other substances known to be in beer are carcinogenic.
A study of the causes of death of Dublin brewery workers from 1954 to 1973, found that there were, of course, among other causes, deaths due to cancer. These brewery workers had beer selected as test subjects because they were known to drink even more beer than the rest of the Irish population. The study showed that the life expectancy of the brewery workers was just as high, even a little higher, than that of the other test group.
Another study with similar results was carried out in Denmark covering the occurrence of cancer and the cause of death of 14,313 brewery workers from 1939 to 1963. The beer consumption of the brewery workers (an average of 77.7 g alcohol per day!) was four times as high as the comparative test group.
This long term (24 years) survey also came to the conclusion that the beer enjoyment of the brewery workers caused no more cancer and no lower life expectancy. More recent studies have confirmed these results.
Beer and Stress
»From a scientific point of view, there is no doubt: Moderate beer enjoyment reduces excess irritability and relaxes. This stress relief function of beer is dependent on the personality, state of mind and sex of the beer drinker as well as the amount consumed and the consumption environment.
Very important is also the anticipated effect which occurs upon consumption of alcohol. Scientific research into the effects of alcohol differentiates between physiological effects and cognitive effects (anticipated effects).
The alcohol and bitter hop essences in beer have a calming effect on the body.
Beer and Senior Citizens
Beer consumption in moderation has, in many cases, many plus points for healthy elderly persons. First of all, physiologically because of its calming, blood vessel dilating, urination promoting and sleep inducing properties and secondly because of its furtherance of psychological composure.
Beer has an extremely low sodium content, a relatively low protein content and is fat free which is important for the health of (not only) elderly persons.
In the USA, nursing homes have introduced Beer Pub Hours, which, among other positive aspects, have improved the sociability of the residents markedly. This practice is also being adopted in more and more German nursing homes and senior citizens complexes.
These leisurely get-togethers are enhanced by the relaxing but at the same time intellectually stimulating effect of the beer.
If little or no alcohol is desired, perhaps on doctor's orders, nursing homes often serve light beer, which has 40% less alcohol than the classic entire beer, or non-alcoholic brew, both of which contain all of the other normal beer components.
According to the findings of geriatricians and gerontologists - in addition to the above mentioned plus points - beer may retard bodily aging. Equally important, especially for senior citizens, are the social aspects of beer: Beer encourages a cheerful mood, makes it easier start conversations and to make friends. According to a recent survey, 81% of German general practitioners are convinced that one or two liters of beer daily make life more enjoyable and healthier for the elderly.
Beer and Special Diets
One should, of course, discuss all matters concerning special diets with one's doctor, but in many cases, beer can make following these diets more enjoyable. As already mentioned, beer is extremely low in sodium, relatively low in protein and fat free. Diet beer is also low in carbohydrates.
Everyone who should avoid sodium, protein or fats may find beer a worthwhile dietary supplement, among others, this includes persons with high blood pressure or high blood fat levels but who are allowed to drink moderate amounts of alcohol.
If alcohol is also to be limited, light beer or non-alcoholic brew may be the answer. The dry, flavorful, full-bodied taste of beer can brighten up many a boring diet.
Beer - A Moderate Alcoholic Beverage
For almost 80 years the question has been raised time and again, whether the inebriating effects of beer, wine or spirits are the same or different.
Assuming the same amount of alcohol is consumed, the answer can be summarized as follows: The alcohol in beer will be more slowly absorbed into the bloodstream, the maximum blood alcohol concentration will be lower, and to an extent, the blood alcohol level will be more quickly reduced.
Physiologically, this is simply explained by the fact that the alcohol concentration is lower in beer. Of course, if wine is mixed with table water, or spirits mixed in weak long drinks, the concentration effect will be similar, but beer also has other advantages: The level of concomitant higher alcohols is comparatively low, the levels of carbohydrates and proteins are higher and beer's minerals serve as strong buffering agents.
These facts mean that the same amount of alcohol consumed in the form of beer will normally lead to less loss of coordination, reactive ability, etc. and also that the general level of inebriation will be lower. Beer is rightly considered to be the beverage of moderation.
A Summation of Important Points Concerning Beer
Vitamins for the nerves
Beer is rich in important vitamins, which come mainly from the malt. The groups B1, B2, B6 and H are nutrients for the nerves. They increase the ability to concentrate, support the building of red blood corpuscles, improve heart circulation and stimulate metabolism.
Minerals help everywhere
Scientific research at the Munich Technical University has proven that the minerals and trace elements in beer positively affect nerves, muscle strength, body electrolysis, the activation of enzymes and hormone balance. Copper and iron help build blood, phosphorus furthers metabolism and magnesium strengthens the heart muscle. Zinc is needed for insulin building in the pancreas, fluoride protects against tooth decay and manganese is necessary for the body to process the valuable B vitamins mentioned above.
Beer relaxes
Hectic, stress and problems at work or in the family often lead to nervousness, sleeplessness and higher blood pressure. A glass of beer before going to bed might be the "best medicine" because the hops and B vitamins in beer can have a calming effect on strained nerves and a relaxing effect on muscles. The comparatively low alcohol content of 4.5-5.5% and the carbon dioxide content also have a relaxing effect on the body in general. An excerpt from a statement on this subject from the Munich Technical University: "The life expectancy of persons who drink moderate amounts of beer is higher than that of those who are abstinent."
Beer is not, in itself, particularly fattening
Beer is a relatively low calorie beverage. 100 g contains about 45 kcal. Only water, black coffee or tea have less. Spirits, wine, champagne, liquors, juices, soft drinks and whole milk all contain more calories. In addition, beer has practically no salt content and therefore reduces the salt and water levels in body tissue.
Beer and sports
Beer is healthy - Specialists in sports medicine have recognized this fact and its benefits. For example, the Italian doctors Antonelli and Romano came to the conclusion that one liter beer daily improves performance, concentration and reaction times and also strengthens muscles. The American coronary scientist Sheehan determined that beer ideally restores energy expended and replaces body fluids lost during jogging, cross-country skiing or marathon participation. The French Professor of Medicine Gulpin proved decades ago that beer increases lung activity and helps speed oxygen absorption.
2006-09-09 01:23:32
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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