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The BBC reported that the vitamin B6
in beer, helps prevent homocysteine buildup
in the body, which in turn reduces the risk
of heart disease[1]. Homocysteine is an
amio acid in the blood. The American Heart
Association reported that epidemiological
studies have shown that too much homocysteine
in the blood (plasma) is related to a higher
risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and
peripheral vascular disease, and people
who are at high risk are advised to get
enough folic acid and vitamins B6
and B12
in their diet [2]. Beer actually has loads
of the B vitamins (B1/Thiamin,
B2/Riboflavin,
B3/Niacin,
B6/Pyridoxine,
B12/Cobalamin)
which are linked to nerve health, anti-stress,
energy production, cardio vascular protection,
immunity improvement, and possible anti-cancer
properties.
Another interesting benefit of beer. The
Osteoporosis Research Unit in Aberdeen (Scotland)
found that dietary calcium
and modest alcohol intake had a posititive
health benefits on women's bone health.
[3][4]
Beer also may provide protection against
diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and cataracts.
In the University of Western Ontario, research
results have shown that one drink of beer
a day increases blood plasma antioxidant
activity. This helps prevent free radical
oxidation of blood plasma that triggers
these diseases [5]. However, Professor John
Trevithick, the lead researcher, cautions
that more than three drinks a day actually
increases the risk.
Other health benefits of beer include increasing
the amount of good clolesterol (HDL) in
the bloodstream, decrease blood clots. Beer
promotes sleep, blood vessel dilation. It
is a diuretic (ie. promotes urination).
Caution: Excess urination will lead to dehydration.
Drink more water after drinking beer.
Beer trivia:
Beer is sometimes called Liquid Bread, due
to the ingredients used in making beer.
(Eg. malt, barley, wheat, hop, yeast.)
Sköl is the popular Scandinavian toast,
and is derived from the word skal. Skal
is a drinking bowl shaped like the upper
half of a human skull. It is a popular belief
that these bowls were from the actual skulls
of enemies killed in battle. (Although there
is no conclusive proof that it is so.)
According to the Guinness people (Ireland's
famous brewery), it is estimated that in
Great Britain, more than 92,000 litres of
beer each year are lost in moustaches and
beards. (Ed's note: Gosh they must have
a lot of hairy faced people drinking beer
in the U.K.)
Other interesting uses for beer:
Meat tenderizer
Marinate tough meat in beer for about an
hour and this should tenderize it enough.
The beer also adds to the flavour of the
meat.
Hair conditioner
Mix a quarter cup of flat beer with half
a cup of warm water. After shampooing your
hair, pour and rub into hair. Leave in for
at least 2-3 minutes, and then rinse off
with water.
Furniture (wood) cleaner
Dampen a soft cloth with flat beer. Wipe
furniture. Then use a clean dry cloth to
wipe dry.
Gold jewellery polish
(Same as above). Dampen a soft cloth with
flat beer. Wipe furniture. Then use a clean
dry cloth to wipe dry.
Have an insect-free garden party
Place some disposable cups with beer in
it, around the perimeter of your party.
Chances are, the insects will be hovering
around the beer and not your guests.
Garden snail and slug trap
Cut an empty milk or juice carton in half
or three-quarters. Discard the top. Dig
a hole that will just fit the cut carton.
Place the carton into the hole. The top
of the carton should be at the same level
as the ground. Pour in some beer to fill
up half of the buried carton. Leave overnight.
The next morning you would probably find
some drunk and drowned snails and slugs.
(Ed's note: Ah well, at least they died
happy.)
Note: We are not promoting drinking especially
binge drinking. All the research studies
have shown that moderate drinking has health
benefits (ie. One to two drinks a day).
For people who are allergic to alcohol,
or do not like alcohol, please do not start.
Disclaimer: The info provided is for academic
and research purposes only, and do not qualify
as medical advice. Please always consult
a medical expert for all medical queries
and advice.
Beer humour
A drunk is driving through the city and
his car is weaving all over the road. Eventually
a cop pulls him over.
"Did you know," says the cop,
"that a few intersections back, your
wife fell out of your car?"
"Oh, thank heavens," sighs the
drunk. "For a minute there, I thought
I'd gone deaf."
Beer quote
When we drink, we get drunk. When we get
drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep,
we commit no sin. When we commit no sin,
we go to heaven. So, let's all get drunk
and go to heaven!
-- George Bernard Shaw
Ed's note: To my friends at the Carlsberg
Brewery, Shah Alam, Malaysia. Keep on brewing!
Love your beer. Now you know the possible
origin of "Sköl".
To my pal, Paul M. in London. Hope
to catch a coupla' pints with you in an
English pub one day.
Cheers, mates!
References:
[1] Beer may be able to protect aginst heart
disease better than wine:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/727912.stm
[2] American Heart Association - Homocysteine
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=535
[3] Moderate alcohol intake (ie. about
half a pint of beer or equivalent) nightly,
can help to protect our bones.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/713698.stm
[4] Tufts University - Moderate beer consumption
(one drink per day for women, and two drinks
per day for men) helps to protect bone mineral
density, and prevent clogged arteries (ie.
reduce risk of heart disease):
http://www.tufts.edu/communications/stories/041204TheBuzzOnBeer.htm
[5] University of Western Ontario - Beer
has same health benefits as red wine
http://communications.uwo.ca/media_newsroom/story.html?listing_id=14653
Beer in moderation protect against heart
attacks, stroke, hypertension, diabetes
and dementia.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/08/13/earlyshow/health/main518587.shtml
(Note: All links are correct on date of
publishing. Please report
broken links.)
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