Beer Make You Healthier?

[KYB]

Here's a couple cents...

When I first started drinking, it was cheap bourbon and cheap beer. I discovered craft beer and got hooked (as did my girlfriend at the time). I always had allergies to where I had to take allergy pills often. I also had small sicknesses here and there, such as a cold. My girlfriend was sick with colds and flus and whatever else OFTEN. Immediately when we started drinking good beer, allergies and sickness stopped. The past few years (from the moment we started drinking good beer and homebrew on a regular basis) has been the healthiest either of us have ever been. I never have allergies and neither of us are ever sick. Now I'm not saying we are immune to everything, but based on the circumstances, it appears good beer has made us healthier.

 

[Indyking]

The answer is NO. To the OP, it was just a coincidence that you got sick during the week you were not drinking. Beer would not make you immune to flu or any other disease for that matter. It is true that certain substances in beer have shown to have beneficial health effects but excessive exposure to alcohol is far less desirable than those benefits. While alcohol is not as toxic as addicting illegal drugs, there is no question it is toxic to the liver, stomach and even brain. We all enjoy our homebrews and I worry about my health sometimes too, but moderation is the key word to keep this wonderful hobby healthy.

 

[KYB]

The answer is NO. To the OP, it was just a coincidence that you got sick during the week you were not drinking. Beer would not make you immune to flu or any other disease for that matter. It is true that certain substances in beer have shown to have beneficial health effects but excessive exposure to alcohol is far less desirable than those benefits. While alcohol is not as toxic as addicting illegal drugs, there is no question it is toxic to the liver, stomach and even brain. We all enjoy our homebrews and I worry about my health sometimes too, but moderation is the key word to keep this wonderful hobby healthy.

Right. We're not talking about getting blackout drunk all the time. Almost anything is bad for you if you take in too much, even water. A beer or 2 a day is not bad for you.

 

[Zeal]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Possible_long-term_effects_of_ethanol.svg

Good and bad moderation is key. Hope this helps.

 

[Indyking]

Right. We're not talking about getting blackout drunk all the time. Almost anything is bad for you if you take in too much, even water. A beer or 2 a day is not bad for you.

Right, but the problem is such that it is very difficult to determine how much is too much for beer. Two beers per day is probably ok for most people but not necessarily true for everyone. Also, getting drunk is NOT a reliable indicator of excessive alcohol consumption either. Alcohol can reach toxic levels in certain people long before causing someone to get drunk.

 

[KYB]

Yea if you're a tiny girl, 2 beers might be too much. Better make it 1.

 

[petey_c]

There you guys go again, trying to muck the water with facts! There I was slowing deluding myself into believing that my beer consumption has been keeping me healthy. I get sick when I see others drinking crap beer, does that count as the same thing?

 

[BryceL]

On numerous occasions, I have taken my blood pressure and pulse before drinking and after I've had a few brews. Without fail my numbers are always lower after I have been drinking a few. Maybe I'm onto some groundbreaking research here?! Realistically, I don't think so...but it is strange. I have low pulse and blood pressure to begin with, but I get in the 110/55 range with a pulse of 46 after 2-3 brews!

 

[Germelli1]

Did anyone else expect the OP to be Asian?

 

[Indyking]

Yea if you're a tiny girl, 2 beers might be too much. Better make it 1.

I have seen good cases of Men, not tiny, who was having problems with chronic (daily) exposure to just 2 beers. Look, I hate to look like the party crasher here, besides I do have my share of craft consumption, but knowing the pathophysiology of alcohol metabolism by our bodies, I avoid as much as I can chronic exposure. People cope differently with alcohol, some have amazing ability to metabolize it, others just don't, but it's up to each one's doctor to help leverage individual risks.

 

[scrambledegg81]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Possible_long-term_effects_of_ethanol.svg

Good and bad moderation is key. Hope this helps.

Being a Type 1 diabetic for 2 decades now, I've noticed that since I became a beer geek, I tend to use less insulin....

 

[Indyking]

Being a Type 1 diabetic for 2 decades now, I've noticed that since I became a beer geek, I tend to use less insulin....

Yes, one of the side effects of alcohol is to lower blood glucose. Glucose rich fluids is the first treatment of alcohol intoxication.

 

[isurf]

Hops reduce the risk of prostrate cancer, so drink up boys. We ladies want you healthy! Homebrew is loaded with antioxidants too.

http://www.healthnewstrack.com/health-news-1963.html

I tried to tell my doc that as he was putting on his glove and I was undressing

 

[ChaosStout]

I havent had the Flu in like 10yrs. I work around the public so you'd think id get it yearly. Their might be something to this. Then again I eat alot of crushed red pepper. I hear that has anti bac properties also

 

[Snorlax]

On numerous occasions, I have taken my blood pressure and pulse before drinking and after I've had a few brews. Without fail my numbers are always lower after I have been drinking a few. Maybe I'm onto some groundbreaking research here?! Realistically, I don't think so...but it is strange. I have low pulse and blood pressure to begin with, but I get in the 110/55 range with a pulse of 46 after 2-3 brews!

Naw, this is well known. Also, take your blood pressure the morning after, and it will likely be higher than normal.

 

[el_caro]

Not sure all this beer is really good for you.

I am 91 years old and am finding the last few months that the beer is causing brewers droop if I have more than my daily 6 bottles.

 

[allhandl]

Not sure all this beer is really good for you.

I am 91 years old and am finding the last few months that the beer is causing brewers droop if I have more than my daily 6 bottles.

Perfect so 42 beers per week is the ceiling... post retirement that is.

 

[broadbill]

On numerous occasions, I have taken my blood pressure and pulse before drinking and after I've had a few brews. Without fail my numbers are always lower after I have been drinking a few. Maybe I'm onto some groundbreaking research here?! Realistically, I don't think so...but it is strange. I have low pulse and blood pressure to begin with, but I get in the 110/55 range with a pulse of 46 after 2-3 brews!

Its not strange, its biology...alcohol is a sedative.

 

[mthompson]

I've had a cold for a 9 days now....it started three days after our pipeline ran dry.

Sure, probably a coincidence...but I'd rather err on the side of caution and stick to my daily, moderate homebrew consumption.