‘Beer has health benefits’

Contrary to the popular perception, health experts said beer had lots of health and lifestyle benefits when consumed moderately.

They said this at the first Beer and Health Symposium, an initiative of Nigerian Breweries Plc aimed at changing what the company considered as a faulty public perception towards the product.

Speaking at the event held in Lagos on Tuesday, Prof. Bankole Omotosho of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, said beer could prevent diabetes; reduce stomach ulcer and cholesterol level when consumed moderately.

Omotoso regretted that religion and wrong perception had prevented many people from benefiting from the medical value in beer consumption.

He added, “Many people have never looked at beer beyond alcohol.”

The university don, however, warned against its abuse, advising men to restrict themselves to one to three bottles. The female folks due to their slower alcohol absorption rate, he said, should take less quantity.

“To drink moderately is to drink within the limit set by your health, society and obligations to family and friends. Nobody wants to be a nuisance to the society,” he added.

Omotoso traced the history of beer to about 400,000 years ago when Babylonian fathers-in-laws would supply the substance to their newly-married sons-in-law, saying the rite was instituted in recognition of its (beer) health value.

He argued that beer could not have had negative effects when its top four ingredients – barley, hops, water and yeast ­- have enormous health advantage.

The Head of Food Technology, The Bells University of Technology, Dr. Olu Malomo, dismissed the masculine myth about beer consumption.

He argued that the first beer brewers could not have been women if it was exclusively a drink for men.

“While religious bigots kick against beer consumption, it is important to note that modern brewing started in monasteries,” he said, adding that the drink was a natural drink brewed from natural ingredients.

Beer advantages can vary in the amount consumed. If you drink too much and too frequently it will be dangerous.

Moderate beer drinking gives certain advantages to your body. Moderation amount can differ from people to people, but I think as long as you have good sense and have all your reflexes working than it will be good.

Beer helps you stimulate your digestion system, Moderate beer consumption can greatly help you get more stronger hunger and will make you take more food. It will also help you to digest it fast.

You will be little surprised with this but it is a fact. Dark beer has the second most amount of antioxidants after red wine. Antioxidants are good for your heart's healthy functioning. Red wine is the main reason why French people have one of the lowest heart disease rate in the world. American Heart Association pointed out that there is not clear evidence to show red wine is more healthier than dark beer. As per a research, moderate consumption of beer prevent coronary disease.

Beer is a social bridge for many people. It helps you feel relaxed and forget the day to day stress. We all need some stress relief from hectic life schedule. People who drink beer, feel relaxed and can sleep better. 

However, Beer should be consumed only at safe place and DO NOT EVER DRINK and DRIVE. It is very dangerous for you, your family and others as well.