17 Surprising Beer Health Benefits You Need To Know

You cannot simply deny that one of the most precious moments of life is having a beer in your hand and sitting in your yard. Sometimes it is precisely what you need to kick back and have lager or ale, stout or IPA, depending on your preference. But the question is – does beer do any good to your health? The answer is yes! 

While it may seem like beer is a harmful alcoholic beverage that doesn’t have any benefits, the reality is very different. Researchers have proved time and time again, through various studies, that a limited amount of beer can actually do wonders!

Which type of beer has more health benefits, light or dark? Actually, light beer has fewer calories and is consumed more, but it has less hop value. While on the other hand, dark beer has more hop value, which makes it very good for cardiovascular disease, and it has silicon content for bone strength.

Science is brilliant, and there have been some interesting studies on why drinking beer in moderation can actually be helpful in improving physical and mental health. Beer has more vitamin B and protein than wine, though both drinks are equal in their anti-oxidant values. Along with these, it also contains certain minerals that enhance metabolic reactions. 

Beer has been seen to reduce several health hazards and enhance the quality of life only if taken in controlled amounts. Drinking several beers a day can worsen the situation, though; therefore, sticking to just a glass of beer is ideal. 

Here’s the reason why you should be gulping the occasional beer once in a while.

1. Heart Health

According to the Harvard Medical School, beer can have a positive impact on the heart when you drink moderately. Uncontrolled consumption will lead to more harm than good. According to research published in the Journal of Epidemiology, information obtained from 200,000 participants suggested that drinking one glass of beer reduces heart disease risk by 31%, which is also associated with improved cholesterol. Beer reduces the buildup of fatty acids in the cardiovascular system.

2. Bone Density

Many of us have spent life hearing how milk has astonishing effects on the bones mainly because of calcium, but beer also holds credit for strong bones, surprisingly not because of calcium. According to some research done at the University of California, beer has dietary silicon, which helps connective tissue in bones to develop.

Dietary silicon is present in the form of soluble orthosilicic acid, which reduces the risk of bone weakening ( Osteoporosis). It is a silent disease because it goes unnoticed only until a bone breaks. This type of silicon present in beer is the one that has 50% of bioavailability, which makes it easy for the body to process it.

Interestingly, not all beer has an equal amount of dietary silicon, as silicon comes from malted and hops barley, so beer with high quantities of that will eventually have high amounts of silicon. So selecting a particular beer with high dietary silicon in ingredients would boost bone density and health.

For example, IPA’s.

3. Nutrition benefits

According to the National Library of Medicine, beer has more nutritional value when compared to other alcoholic drinks. Apart from folate and vitamins contained, it is also rich in other elements like zinc, iron, calcium, and potassium.

4. Lower Diabetes Risk

Beers, especially those with low sugar, are seen to improve the sugar level by enhancing the body’s metabolism. According to a survey, beer has been seen to improve insulin sensitivity preventing Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.

5. Healthier Kidneys

According to the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, moderate drinkers of beer, both male and female, have fewer chances to develop kidney stones as they contain certain phytochemicals which are natural and plant-based that improve the health of kidneys and help ease urine formation and lessen the chances of high uric acid. Also, the alcoholic content in beer helps in the release of calcium which is the main component of kidney stones.

6. Cholesterol level

Beer contains beta-glucans which is a soluble fiber that reduces the cholesterol level. Some researchers, according to Healthline, have proposed that unidentified components are present in beer that changes the way lipoproteins are metabolized and lessen the risk of a heart attack.

7. Blood Flow to the brain

Beer helps you get relaxed, and when a person is relaxed, the part of the brain that deals with creativity, association, and intuition will get fired up. Studies suggest that beer drinkers are less faced with cognitive defects such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Alcohol or elements like resveratrol increase the function of blood vessels by preventing the sticking of platelets in the blood to each other. It also reduces the formation of clots and, ultimately, the risk of a heart attack.

8. Reduced risk of cancer

Beer can help fight cancer via its superpower, which is a key component called Xanthohumol, which is actually a flavonoid found in hops that has certain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by limiting the cancer-causing enzymes. According to MDPI journal research, it is found that beer also contains Polyphenols, which are also vital in the anti-cancer fight.

9. Stroke Protection

Beer in moderate amounts helps to ease the blood flow and protects against the clogging of veins with fatty substances. This is done by improving gut activity and raising the level of high-density lipoprotein, which is associated with a lower risk of stroke. However, abrupt alcohol consumption could have a severe impact on the health of the heart and can lead to an attack as well.

10. Improving Blood Pressure 

Beer contains pyridoxine which helps reduce the levels of homocysteine, a notorious chemical associated with high blood pressure and heart disease. The presence of nutrients and HDL in beer makes it a great option if you drink moderately. But people who already have elevated blood pressure levels should avoid drinking beer. 

11. Beer can help you smile

A beer a day can keep the dentist away? Well, Maybe! Beer helps keep teeth clean by reducing the growth of bacteria in the mouth. It also helps fight cavities and gingivitis in teeth. Gingivitis is actually one of the most prominent causes of decaying teeth. It is a disease of gum accompanied by redness and irritation. According to the journal of biomedicine and biotechnology, the buildup of bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can worsen the symptoms of this disease.

So, it’s scientifically proven that beer contains serious antimicrobial and antibacterial characteristics to keep little nasties away from adhering to your teeth and setting up a home there. It might not replace the benefits of a toothbrush, but it can’t hurt, either!

12. Beer helps you get your Fiber

Beer contains high content of fiber along with vitamin B. It reduces dandruff and gives a shiny and classy look to hair. In addition to that, it also contains vitamin E for smooth and clear skin.

13. Beer prevents Cataracts 

According to the National Eye Institute, cataracts are prevalent in aged people, but it’s believed that beer in moderation can reduce this. The antioxidant properties present in beer, especially in ale and stout, could lessen the effects of cataracts. 

14. Maintain your Immune System

Beer has been helpful in elevating the immune system, as published in Pubmed based on research from the University of California. The study was done on animal models, specifically rhesus monkeys, to check the response against a vaccine for smallpox. The monkeys were divided into three groups based on the feed. One group had access to sugar water, and two other groups had access to alcohol.

So, when the monkeys were examined again, they no longer had the same response. Their immune response was changed such that the sugar group and heavy drinkers of alcohol had less response to disease while the moderate drinkers were more responsive, indicating that moderate levels of alcohol are actually beneficial for the immune system, contrary to high consumption of beer and wine.

15. Prevention of Anemia

Beer has a role in enhancing the absorption of iron which also includes folic acid and vitamin B12, a deficiency of which can lead to anemia.

16. Cure Insomnia

Beer, especially ale, lager, and stout, produces dopamine that induces a sensation of calmness and a relaxed state, making it easy to fall asleep.

 17. Gut Health

Beer is a fermented product, that contains certain probiotics that increase metabolism and keeps it full of essential microorganisms that can enhance the activity of the stomach.

Mark Simons

I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.