Written by Beer May Rival Wine For Health Benefits
We’ve known for some time that wine has certain benefits for the health of some people, specifically wine drinkers of course. Drunk in moderation, wine can help prevent certain cancers, reduce the risls of heart disease and slow the onset of some neuroligical degenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s.
Until now those pesky wine drinkers have has the upper hand in the ‘healthy drinks’
Beer vs Wine - the health benefits
stakes but a recent study by the Research Laboratories at the Fondazione di Ricerca e Cura has apparently shown that beer can match wine in certain aspects of health benefits. Specifically both wine and beer have the effect of decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 31%.
Two glasses of wine or slightly more than one pint a day will do it for men while one glass of one is enough for women. The more one drinks, the more the decreased risk evaporates until a level is reached when the risk actually starts to increase. There are also other conditional factors; women of child bearing age for example can slightly increase the risks of some varieties of cancer.
What does seem to be the conclusion of the researchers is that even though the benefits appear to be proven, the reason why beer can be as beneficial as wine is still a bit if a mystery; the researchers admit that the only obvious early conclusion is that both contain alcohol – there is no similarity between the ingredients or the brewing processes.
We should mention that studies have been performed into the health benefits of beer before, resulting in the following useful pub facts:
- Beer can help reduce blood pressure
- Beer contains flavanoids, natural oxidants which the body needs to protect against disease
- Beer can help prevent kidney stones
- Beer can lower levels of insulin in the blood
- Beer contains Vitamin B6 which promotes the manufacture of haemoglobin
- Beer raises the levels of the blood’s anti-oxidants
- Beer helps with relaxation and promoting good sleep
Frankly we’re not sure about the last one, from a scientific point of view anyway, but the researchers surely know best.
12th Belfast Beer & Cider Festival
The 12th Belfast Beer and Cider Festival deserves a quick mention this week, if only because it’s something of a celebration of the rise of the micro-brewery in Northern Ireland and the spectacular success of this event over the last twelve years or so.
Over the years since it’s inception it has grown steadily and now features around 100 real ales and 20 or so varieties of cider. Most of the brews are local but an increasing number originate abroad, ales and breweries which are trying to fight their way into the local market.
Ulster Hall, Belfast
It takes place over three days, beginning on the 17th November and running until the 19th. Beer may be the main attraction but it’s not the only one; there will be plenty of live music as befits any Irish occasion so if you’re in the area, head won to the Ulster Hall for a good weekend.
