Why It Is Useful To Drink Beer And When It Becomes Harmful

Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage, loved by thousands of people around the world. Also known as beer, it is prepared by brewing and fermenting cereals with yeast, hops, water and other flavoring ingredients such as herbs and fruits. The alcohol content of most types of beer is between 4 and 6%, but those with 0.5 to 40% or non-alcoholic can also be found. The strongest beer in the world is produced in Scotland and contains 67.5% alcohol. It has been scientifically proven that 1 liter of unfiltered beer is 10 times more useful than a liter of milk.

Nutritional value and composition of beer

One small standard beer (350 ml) contains:

• 153 calories;
• 1.6 grams of protein;
• 0 grams of fat;
• 13 grams of carbohydrates;
• vitamins: niacin, riboflavin, choline, folate, B12, B5;
• minerals: magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, potassium, calcium, thiamine, iron, zinc.
• 13.9 grams of alcohol.

Protein in beer is not much, but minerals are a significant amount (1-2 grams per liter). The product contains vitamins B1, B2, PP, which ranks it, if not among vitamin drinks, then among food products. Beer is lower in calories than Coca-Cola, apple juice and fruit drinks, which have sugar in their composition. It is also more nutritious than other alcoholic beverages.

Light beer contains about 100 calories in 350 ml of drink, and dark beer has approximately 180 calories for the same amount. Non-alcoholic beer has the fewest calories - 72, and fruit is usually the most caloric because it contains added sugars.

Beer is produced from malt, hops, yeast and water - products that are not harmful to the body. Malt is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes and mineral salts. The extracts of hops contained in beer have a calming, analgesic and even disinfectant effect.

What is beer good for?

People around the world have been drinking beer for thousands of years. This is no accident, as this cooling drink has many health benefits. More and more healing properties of its intake are constantly being discovered. In ancient times, doctors recommended rinsing the mouth with the product for toothache. In the Middle Ages, beer was used to remove kidney stones and treat exhaustion. In folk medicine there are recipes with the product for the treatment of colds. Beer rids the body of aluminum salts and carcinogens. Studies by Japanese scientists prove that regular consumption can reduce the likelihood of cancer 2-3 times. In addition, beer is useful for many other conditions.

Studies show that drinking moderate amounts of beer is good for the heart as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggests that soluble fiber in beer helps reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol, insulin resistance and the risk of developing diabetes. Beer containing large amounts of added sugar does not bring these potential benefits, and may even contribute to the onset of diabetes. It is important to note that these potential benefits are only associated with light to moderate intake (one to two beers per day). On the other hand, excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Brewer's yeast is recommended to be taken internally for various infectious diseases, diabetes, furunculosis, acne and other skin diseases.

Drinking beer on an empty stomach relieves the stomach of excess mucus, which is useful in most types of gastritis. Hops activate the secretion of gastric juice, and the active substances from it in beer have analgesic and hypnotic effects, stop the growth and reproduction of bacteria. The positive effect of barley drink for the restoration of the mucosa in diseases of the stomach and duodenum (gastritis, duodenitis, ulcer) is noted.

Consumption of beer reduces the risk of developing kidney stones, and doctors confirm that moderate drinking of beer even destroys them. Beers, which contain large amounts of hops, are rich in phytochemicals that have a beneficial effect on the kidneys.

Due to its high silicon content, the alcoholic beverage helps build stronger bones and reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures.

Studies show that two glasses of beer a day can reduce work-related stress and anxiety. However, frequent use of alcohol can do more harm than good. In the long run, it is possible to contribute to the development of depression and anxiety, so beer should be consumed in moderation.

Hops have a secret ingredient that can positively affect cognitive function. This is xanthohumol - a flavonoid that helps to slow down the degenerative processes of memory and improve mental performance. The compound protects brain cells from oxidative damage associated with dementia. It gives the characteristic bitterness and aroma of the beer. It is believed that 1-2 glasses of beer a day slow down the aging of the body. In addition, they speed up metabolism and contribute to cell rejuvenation.

Drinking alcohol leads to frequent urination, which in turn helps to eliminate toxins from the body.

When does beer become harmful?

Alcohol prevents the body from absorbing vitamins and minerals and can reduce the body's ability to burn stored fat. Drinking too much alcohol has negative consequences for your health:

• early death;
• depression;
• liver disease (cirrhosis);
• hypertension;
• malnutrition;
• weight gain and the so-called "beer belly";
• cancer;
• pancreatitis;
• dependence.

Very often beer is consumed with large amounts of food (especially salty, fried or rich in sugars), which leads to weight gain and a number of health problems. Regular drinking of large amounts of beer can damage the liver, blood pressure and overall health. To limit the risk of adverse effects, it is best to limit the intake of alcohol to no more than one standard bottle per day for women and two for men.