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Scientific evidence that beer is good for you
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The Times
February 24 1997 BRITAIN
Research adds weight to the beer drinker's diet
BY JEREMY LAURANCE, HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
BEER has been unfairly blamed for increasing the girth of generations of
drinkers, an expert in analytical chemistry claims.
The merits of beer have been missed because of its undeserved association
with large, pot-bellied men propping up bars. A pint a day could even be the
basis of a weight-loss diet, Professor David Williams of the University of
Wales, Cardiff, says.
Beer is a "complete food" and its health benefits outweigh its dangers, he
says. All the evidence was that those who drink moderate amounts live longer.
The large abdomens developed by some heavy drinkers were not attributable to
beer itself but reflected the effect of alcohol as an appetite stimulant and
as an anaesthetic. "Alcohol numbs your stomach, so you can't always tell when
it is full," Professor Williams says.
For most people even the effect of the appetite stimulus was offset by the
carbon dioxide in beer, which encourages drinkers to take small quantities of
food with pauses in between. Carbonated drinks also aid digestion by
promoting acid production in the stomach and stimulating blood flow.
Beer contains no fat and no sugar, but worthwhile amounts of carbohydrate,
protein and vitamins. It is 93 per cent water, providing an important source
of the four pints of water a day required by the average person. It is
healthier than soft drinks because it does not rot the teeth and contains low
levels of additives and other contaminants, which are soaked up by the yeast
used in fermentation and then discarded.
Writing in Chemistry in Britain, Professor Williams calls for an end to some
of the myths surrounding a beverage which people have made and consumed since
about 3500 BC. As well as providing the right nutrition, beer has a relaxing
effect that helps to reduce stress.
"When used as part of a balanced diet, beer is beneficial for human health
and the infrequent mishap resulting from a little over-indulgence is no
reason to brand beer as contrary to our well-being."
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