Beer is probably the oldest produced drink in the world. Beer consumption has been shown to have many health benefits, but as with everything, moderation is recommended. Because what is good for the body in small quantities can have the opposite effect when consumed in large quantities, i.e. it can be harmful to health.
For a long time, scientists thought that beer had only negative effects on health, i.e. obesity, high blood pressure, heart problems and addiction. However, this has now been shown to be far from the case. Consumed in small amounts, it has countless health benefits, and here they are!
Research shows that drinking a small amount of beer a day can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 25%. This is because beer increases insulin sensitivity.
As beer is largely water and as daily fluid intake is very important, beer can help prevent the development of kidney stones.
Beer contains large amounts of hops, the herb that gives beer its bitter taste. Hops have an anti-inflammatory effect and significantly reduce the inflammation in the body, which can lead to the development of chronic diseases. Hops also contain a substance that can prevent and treat viral respiratory diseases.
Beer can also protect against heart disease, as it has cardioprotective properties due to the presence of antioxidant compounds. These antioxidants can lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can protect us from developing cardiovascular diseases. Beer is known to raise good cholesterol levels in the body. Because it also has a blood-thinning effect and removes plaque from the walls of blood vessels and arteries, it can also reduce the risk of stroke.
A glass or two of beer a day can also reduce high blood pressure. However, it should also be noted that more than 2 dl of beer a day not only lowers blood pressure, but also raises it, as alcohol – when consumed in large quantities – has such an effect.