Beer Benefits: The Real Fountain of Youth

Beer keeps you young according to scientific studies. There are times when I really love science; this is one of those times. It ranks right up there with the research studies giving gold stars for dark chocolate, coffee and red wine. Now that I am firmly on the flip side of forty, anti-aging tips have a magnetic pull. Thankfully there are plenty of easy to incorporate, enjoyable anti-aging practices, like adding a beer a day.

Fountain of youth?

Beer relaxes and opens blood vessels, letting nutrient-rich blood flow throughout your body. Women's World reports that beer can even cut the rate of brain aging in half.

Beer reduces stress

It is commonly known that stress can age a person. Since alcohol in general is shown to reduce stress, it stands to reason that beer is good for your health!

Beer improves blood circulation

A recent study shows that beer shrinks plague buildup in your arteries by as much as 30-percent. Not only does beer reduce your blood's tendency to clot, it increases your good, HDL cholesterol.

Helps prevents heart attacks

The flavonoids that are present in roasted malt prevent blood platelets from clamping together. This in turn makes the blood less sticky and decreases the risk of blood clots that can cause heart attacks. A study of elderly people conducted from 1982 to 1996 found that those who drank 1.5 beers per day had 20-50 percent less chance of having heart failure.

Beer helps prevents strokes

Alcohol drinkers have fewer strokes according to a study published in Stroke magazine. Silent strokes are caused by tiny blood clots in the brain. Since the blood is thinned out, it can circulate freely.

Beer is chock full o' fiber

A liter of beer can hold as much as 60-percent of the daily recommended fiber. The fiber in beer comes from the cell walls of the malted barley. Anti-aging articles often talk about staying regular, beer can help.

Protects against cataracts, cancer and Alzheimer's disease

Hoppy beer protects against cataracts. Hop flavonoids, such as xanthohumol and its isomerised form isoxanthohumol, show positive effects against not only cataracts, but Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis and certain forms of cancer.

Beer promotes sleep

Try beer before drugs to beat insomnia. This natural sedative has two secret weapons; lactoflavin and nicotinic acid that promote sleep. By the way, these same two vitamins also speed up bone degeneration after a fracture.


Although there are many benefits to drinking a beer a day, over-indulging can lead to unwanted side effects. Since beer lowers your inhibitions, you may drink more than you should or indulge in high calorie snacks. Keep it to 12 oz a day though, and you can have your cake and eat it too.



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