Moderation is a key element for everything in life, as listening to your body and understanding your needs and limits is key to managing a healthy lifestyle. Alcohol—and beer in particular—is something many people incorporate into their lifestyle in such moderation. Though excessive consumption is proven to be harmful, there are some surprising potential benefits of drinking beer in moderation. Read on to learn more!
Lowers Cholesterol
Contrary to what some people may think, having a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to mean entirely removing alcoholic beverages. Rather, it is about finding the right balance. Beer contains barley, which is linked to lowering cholesterol levels, especially when paired with an active lifestyle. And lower cholesterol levels may reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and lower blood pressure.
Provides Antioxidants
Another potential benefit of drinking beer in moderation is that it could provide your body with antioxidants. Thanks to hops, much beer contains phytochemicals, which act as antioxidants and might prevent chronic disease development like cancer and tumor growth. You can also find antioxidants in various fruits and vegetables, which should be your primary source.
Nutritious Elements
Fiber and hops contain vitamins and antioxidants that remain in the final product through high-quality, craft brewing processes. Among the differences between craft and mass production beer is the higher-quality brewing process behind craft beer, which leads to more nutrients in the final product. Therefore, craft beer likely contains more antioxidants, vitamin B, protein, iron, and calcium.
Cleaner Teeth
Some ingredients in beer, like hops and barley, contain high levels of silicon and calcium, which could help protect teeth and gum and strengthen your bones. These ingredients could also fight bacteria that grow in your mouth, which could cause bad breath and gum deterioration without proper cleaning and maintenance. This surprising benefit of drinking beer could keep your smile and mouth looking healthier!
Reduce Stress
There’s a reason many people enjoy a glass of beer after a hard day or a long week. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it makes our minds and bodies work more slowly. In turn, this relaxes us. Therefore, beer in moderation is a simple way to reduce stress and anxiety for many people. However, you should always consider your own needs and history to decide the best way to unwind for you.
