We’ve seen big write ups over the last few years about the health benefits of wine; it’s anti-aging properties and ability to reduce cardiovascular disease. During American prohibition, wine was even permitted to be sold legally in drug stores due to its role as a "therapeutic beverage“. Interestingly at the start of the 1990’s the  U.S. Food and Drug Administration Dietary Guidelines said that wine had no health benefit, however by 1995 this was changed to allow moderate consumption when accompanied with meals.

Reading about wine in various sports and fitness magazines we receive started to get us thinking that beer in comparison to wine was the weaker player - the one who would always be selected last in a school yard sports team. This too, in the face of the many years that Guinness was advertised as “Guinness is good for you” and “Guinness for strength”.

Thankfully the pendulum has swung of late and researchers are beginning to find that beer isn’t exactly the devil’s play thing – there are actually some great benefits when consumed in moderation. Here’s 10 of them:

1. Beer creates strong bones due to containing silicon which assists bone density
2. A pint of beer a day can reduce cardiovascular disease
3. Beer can reduce the risk of developing kidney stones
4. Beer may assist in keeping Alzheimer’s disease at bay
5. Marinating steak in beer eliminates almost 70% of carcinogens in fried meat
6. Beer contains vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid
7. Beer can assist in reducing strokes
8. Beer decreases the likelihood of developing diabetes
9. Beer is a stress buster, assisting the reduction of high blood pressure and facilitating sleep
10. Consumption of beer can help you live longer

Unfortunately the big caveat is moderation, which is why we advocate drinking quality over quantity!