Beer, is it healthy?
Do you have doubts about the virtues of the Queen of the summer? There are data showing that beer is not fattening (provides few calories and contains no fat), and that moderate consumption has health benefits.
Beer is a beverage fermented with a low (between 4 ° and 7 °) alcohol content, made with natural ingredients - water, barley, yeast and hops, and also contains many nutrients, such as vitamins of Group B (especially folic acid), minerals (magnesium, potassium, Silicon, calcium), polyphenols and fiber, among others.
Since its discovery, beer has served as pay, food supplement, an offering to the gods and traded to many civilizations, and despite it being pointed out as guilty of so-called "beer belly", in reality its caloric content is low - about 45 kcal per each 100 ml-, and contains no fat.
Since when do we drink beer?
This refreshing drink, much more palatable when you tighten the heat, has centuries of history, and about 6,000 years ago already took it the Sumerians who, initially, used it for medicinal purposes. Subsequently their use extended to Egypt, where it became the national drink, and from there to other countries of the Mediterranean basin. The Egyptians, moreover, introduced some modifications in its preparation, including new ingredients and making its taste is more pleasant.
In Spain found remains which confirm that the beer is consumed from about 5,000 years ago, although the drink as we know it today has its origin in times of Carlos I (16th century), great lover of the good eating, that brought our country to master brewers in his homeland, extending this drink tasteas well as its widespread consumption.
Beer is a product with nutritional interest because it provides vitamins, minerals and other substances such as polyphenols and natural Phytoestrogens functional properties. The most important components of beer and that they report our health benefits are:
Vitamins
Mostly from Group B. And especially folate, whose presence in the beer (from 5 to 10 micrograms per 100 ml) make this drink one of the main sources of folic acid that can be incorporated to the daily diet. Other vitamins present in the beer, are the riboflavin (B2), which aids digestion, and pyridoxine (B6), niacin and thiamine (B1), involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Soluble fiber
It is the drink with a greater intake of soluble fiber to our diet (17%), making it a moderate consumption prevents constipation and is also associated with a decrease in bad cholesterol.
Minerals
It contains numerous minerals, notably the bioavailable silicon, which is involved in the formation and repair of bones, and contributes to increase bone density and slowing bone loss.
Ethyl alcohol
The amount of alcohol in the beer is small, although it is recommended a consumption responsible and moderate and, in those cases in which alcohol you take (pregnant women, children, people with drug treatments...), you can choose the variety without alcohol, consumption of which extends more and more.
However, despite the devastating consequences that can result in the abuse of alcohol, there are scientific studies documented the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on health, healthy adults and who are not following any treatment with drugs that this substance might interfere. For example, the risk of suffering a heart attack is up to 60% lower among drinkers moderate compared with drinkers or abstainers. In addition, moderate consumption of alcohol raises levels of good cholesterol, which reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
It has been also linked moderate alcohol consumption with a delay in the onset of menopause and, in the case of beer, it should be noted that this could influence the Phytoestrogens contained, whose chemical structure is similar to the natural estrogens, and which would be responsible, according to some specialists, a delay of two years in the arrival of the menopause in women who consume beer in moderation.
Polyphenols
These substances with antioxidant properties, and that they are part of the composition of fruits and vegetables, the olive oil and tea, are also present in fermented like wine and beer beverages. Its properties, include the capacity of polyphenols to delay Cellular Aging and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Maltodextrins
It's carbohydrates that are metabolized slowly and gradually release glucose in the blood units. Thanks to this release there is a timely and high peak of glucose in blood, which avoids appearing episodes of Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. For this reason, the beer, and that does not contain alcohol, especially is a highly recommended sports drink.
The beer is a bebida-alimento with many healthy properties, including:
· Decreases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, by increasing the levels of good cholesterol (HDL), and because contains polyphenols (natural antioxidants that are also present in the wine), which have an anti-inflammatory effect and antithrombotic.
· Protects against neurodegenerative diseases, thanks to one of its components, Silicon, which has an influence on the absorption and accumulation of aluminium, a neurotoxic mineral associated with diseases of this kind, such as Alzheimer's and other dementias.
· Improving bone health. Several studies also relate the moderate consumption of fermented beverages, such as beer and wine, with better bone health, and silicon, which we talked about in the previous point, also act, preventing the loss of bone mineral density, which could prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
· It has an anti-inflammatory effect due to the hops, an essential component of beer, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and this drink gives the ability to prevent degenerative diseases associated with aging.
· Could help prevent some forms ofcancer, such as breast or prostate, because polyphenols which contains and, in particular, the xanthohumol, contributes to inhibit the development of tumor cells. At the moment, this has been proven in tests in vitro and has experimented with animals in the laboratory.
· Enhances the immune system's response against external pathogens.
· Non-fattening. A single 200 ml beer shank provides 90 kcal and, in the case of non-alcoholic beer, this is reduced to 17 kcal per 100 ml or, what is the same, 34 kcal for a rod.
· It has a low content in sodium, and it is diuretic, so it prevents fluid retention, and is suitable in low diets.
· Reduces the risk ofgastric ulcer. Moderate beer consumption decreases up to 17% the risk of causing an infection caused by Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria responsible for also of gastroduodenal ulcer and even, gastric cancer. Hops, which gives it the characteristic bitter taste, has also sedative and digestive properties.
· Its fibre content (contributes 17% of soluble dietary fiber intake) helps prevent the constipation, reduces the incidence of colon cancer and diverticulosis and favors the cholesterol lowering.
Beer gives us vitamins, minerals, and substances with functional properties
Components of beer what do we contribute?
Do you have doubts about the virtues of the Queen of the summer? Quiet, whenever it passes you, does not have why spoil you the operation bikini: there is data showing that beer is not fattening (provides few calories and contains no fat), and that moderate consumption has health benefits.Beer is a beverage fermented with a low (between 4 ° and 7 °) alcohol content, made with natural ingredients - water, barley, yeast and hops, and also contains many nutrients, such as vitamins of Group B (especially folic acid), minerals (magnesium, potassium, Silicon, calcium), polyphenols and fiber, among others.
Since its discovery, beer has served as pay, food supplement, an offering to the gods and traded to many civilizations, and despite it being pointed out as guilty of so-called "beer belly", in reality its caloric content is low - about 45 kcal per each 100 ml-, and contains no fat.
Since when do we drink beer?
This refreshing drink, much more palatable when you tighten the heat, has centuries of history, and about 6,000 years ago already took it the Sumerians who, initially, used it for medicinal purposes. Subsequently their use extended to Egypt, where it became the national drink, and from there to other countries of the Mediterranean basin. The Egyptians, moreover, introduced some modifications in its preparation, including new ingredients and making its taste is more pleasant.
In Spain found remains which confirm that the beer is consumed from about 5,000 years ago, although the drink as we know it today has its origin in times of Carlos I (16th century), great lover of the good eating, that brought our country to master brewers in his homeland, extending this drink tasteas well as its widespread consumption.
Components of beer
The beer contains mostly water (92%) which, coupled with its low alcohol content and the fact that they drink cold (in Spain the serving temperature ranges usually between 8 and 10 ° C), they become a much in demand product to quench thirst and heat, it is hydrating thanks to the maltodextrines which contains and favouring the absorption of fluid in the body. The alcohol in beer not hinders its moisturizing effect, if consumed in moderation or, if you want to eat as much, will opt for alcohol-free beer, which has the same properties.Beer is a product with nutritional interest because it provides vitamins, minerals and other substances such as polyphenols and natural Phytoestrogens functional properties. The most important components of beer and that they report our health benefits are:
Vitamins
Mostly from Group B. And especially folate, whose presence in the beer (from 5 to 10 micrograms per 100 ml) make this drink one of the main sources of folic acid that can be incorporated to the daily diet. Other vitamins present in the beer, are the riboflavin (B2), which aids digestion, and pyridoxine (B6), niacin and thiamine (B1), involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Soluble fiber
It is the drink with a greater intake of soluble fiber to our diet (17%), making it a moderate consumption prevents constipation and is also associated with a decrease in bad cholesterol.
Minerals
It contains numerous minerals, notably the bioavailable silicon, which is involved in the formation and repair of bones, and contributes to increase bone density and slowing bone loss.
Ethyl alcohol
The amount of alcohol in the beer is small, although it is recommended a consumption responsible and moderate and, in those cases in which alcohol you take (pregnant women, children, people with drug treatments...), you can choose the variety without alcohol, consumption of which extends more and more.
However, despite the devastating consequences that can result in the abuse of alcohol, there are scientific studies documented the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on health, healthy adults and who are not following any treatment with drugs that this substance might interfere. For example, the risk of suffering a heart attack is up to 60% lower among drinkers moderate compared with drinkers or abstainers. In addition, moderate consumption of alcohol raises levels of good cholesterol, which reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
It has been also linked moderate alcohol consumption with a delay in the onset of menopause and, in the case of beer, it should be noted that this could influence the Phytoestrogens contained, whose chemical structure is similar to the natural estrogens, and which would be responsible, according to some specialists, a delay of two years in the arrival of the menopause in women who consume beer in moderation.
Polyphenols
These substances with antioxidant properties, and that they are part of the composition of fruits and vegetables, the olive oil and tea, are also present in fermented like wine and beer beverages. Its properties, include the capacity of polyphenols to delay Cellular Aging and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Maltodextrins
It's carbohydrates that are metabolized slowly and gradually release glucose in the blood units. Thanks to this release there is a timely and high peak of glucose in blood, which avoids appearing episodes of Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. For this reason, the beer, and that does not contain alcohol, especially is a highly recommended sports drink.
Ten good reasons to drink beer
Numerous scientific researches have been conducted to determine whether moderate consumption of beer has beneficial consequences on health, and there are data showing that the intake of this and other fermented like wine and cider beverages, would be recommended as part of a healthy diet, provided that we insist, were a moderate, healthy adults by consumer, and accompanied by a balanced diet.The beer is a bebida-alimento with many healthy properties, including:
· Decreases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, by increasing the levels of good cholesterol (HDL), and because contains polyphenols (natural antioxidants that are also present in the wine), which have an anti-inflammatory effect and antithrombotic.
· Protects against neurodegenerative diseases, thanks to one of its components, Silicon, which has an influence on the absorption and accumulation of aluminium, a neurotoxic mineral associated with diseases of this kind, such as Alzheimer's and other dementias.
· Improving bone health. Several studies also relate the moderate consumption of fermented beverages, such as beer and wine, with better bone health, and silicon, which we talked about in the previous point, also act, preventing the loss of bone mineral density, which could prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
· It has an anti-inflammatory effect due to the hops, an essential component of beer, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and this drink gives the ability to prevent degenerative diseases associated with aging.
· Could help prevent some forms ofcancer, such as breast or prostate, because polyphenols which contains and, in particular, the xanthohumol, contributes to inhibit the development of tumor cells. At the moment, this has been proven in tests in vitro and has experimented with animals in the laboratory.
· Enhances the immune system's response against external pathogens.
· Non-fattening. A single 200 ml beer shank provides 90 kcal and, in the case of non-alcoholic beer, this is reduced to 17 kcal per 100 ml or, what is the same, 34 kcal for a rod.
· It has a low content in sodium, and it is diuretic, so it prevents fluid retention, and is suitable in low diets.
· Reduces the risk ofgastric ulcer. Moderate beer consumption decreases up to 17% the risk of causing an infection caused by Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria responsible for also of gastroduodenal ulcer and even, gastric cancer. Hops, which gives it the characteristic bitter taste, has also sedative and digestive properties.
· Its fibre content (contributes 17% of soluble dietary fiber intake) helps prevent the constipation, reduces the incidence of colon cancer and diverticulosis and favors the cholesterol lowering.
Article contributed for educational purposes