Beer and Health

For many centuries and in many languages, we have raised a glass of beer and toasted to good health, always believing it to be wishful thinking. Recently, scientific study has provided some confirmation that a toast to good health may go beyond the fact that enjoyment, refreshment and good times with good friends can lead to a healthier life. There is growing evidence that moderate consumption of beer brings health benefits. While nothing is conclusive and certainly moderation is the key, there is good news, both on the nutrition and the health side.


There is evidence to suggest that light drinking reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease by as much as 20%, or more. Dr. Norman Kaplan, a researcher at University of Texas Southwest Medical Center conducted a study of 70,000 health nurses. He reported that those who consume one or two beers each day had a 30-40% lower rate of Coronary Heart diseases and a 20% lower rate of stroke than the control group who did not drink regularly. Healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente conducted a similar study using almost 130,000 people with similar results.

Studies have also shown that moderate alcohol consumption may help increase high density lipoprotein or HDL, also known as good cholesterol. Alcohol drinkers in general have statistically significant higher levels HDL or good cholesterol. They also have lower levels of fibrinogen, a protein that is associated with blood clots. Beer, specifically also contains higher levels of polyphenols which cut levels of LDL or bad cholesterol.

The ingredients in beer serve to increases anti-oxidants in blood stream. Barley and other grains, hops and yeast all contain anti-oxidants which survive the brewing process and make it in to the consumer’s blood stream. Anti-oxidants serve to protect the cells against the damaging properties of reactive oxygen, reducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been shown to have a link to cancer, aging, atherosclerosis, and neuron-degenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s). It doesn’t mean that beer prevents these diseases, but it can help to create an environment that supports resistance of them.

Besides the soothing experience of enjoying a beer, there is also scientific evidence to suggest beer can actually lower blood pressure. The alcohol we consume is ethanol, which is shown to have substantial antithrombotic effects, similar to aspirin. A daily aspiring is recommended by many doctors for their patients over 50, especially those at risk for hypertension or heart disease. Dr. Kaplan’s studies at the University of Texas also seemed to support this theory.

One of the biggest questions surrounding beer is does it have any nutritional value? It does…beer contains many essential vitamins and minerals. There is quite a variety of nutrients in beer. Richer beers, notably Belgians have long been considered liquid bread. For years monks in Trappist Orders throughout Europe have used rich beers to provide basic nutrients during times of fasting. Specifically, beer contains a substantial amount of B-complex vitamins which provide some very key health benefits. The most powerful of the B vitamins is B6 which lowers levels of Homocysteine which can increase the chance of heart disease. Beer also contains magnesium, selenium and dietary silicon which improves bone density and can postpone the onset of osteoporosis.

Beer not only stands up to wine, but in many ways surpasses it. Wine for years has touted the fact that the flavanoids found in it are healthy, and this is true. However, Beer on average contains the same amount of flavanoids as red wine, and 5 times as much as white. Dark beer contains substantially more than lighter beer, therefore much more than even red wine. Unfiltered beers contain even higher amounts of these good things. Beer also provides a 30% increase in B-6 into the blood plasma, as well as dietary silicon. Very few of the nutrients found in the raw products for wine survive fermentation and filtering, whereas virtually all of them do for beer. This means that even though wine appears to contain many health ingredients, as a finished product, beer contains substantially more.

It can not be stressed enough that moderation is important. One to two beers per day is considered a reasonable amount. It certainly should go without saying that any information provided herein is not to be considered in lieu of a trained medical opinion. As with most medical studies, correlation does not necessarily equal causation. The evidence may just suggest that healthier people drink beer, rather than beer making people healthier. Regardless of the actual circumstances, it seems like one more good reason to consider a beer at the end of the day.