Craft Beer: Health Benefits Or Health Risks?

Drinking craft beer has been associated with several health benefits, but only when consumed in moderation. According to the USDA, this means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Drinking more than this is considered unsafe and can lead to serious health problems.

Some of the purported health benefits of drinking craft beer in moderation include:

- Lower risk of diabetes

- Improved heart health

- Rich source of dietary silicon, which may help prevent osteoporosis

- Protection against Alzheimer's and dementia

- Reduced inflammation

- High levels of antioxidants, protein and vitamin B

Craft beer can lower the risk of diabetes

Craft beer has been found to have many health benefits, including a reduced risk of diabetes. Here are some ways in which craft beer can lower the risk of diabetes:

• Craft beer is rich in vitamins and nutrients, including B vitamins (folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, B6 and B12). These vitamins can help with the body's metabolism, the functioning of the nervous system, muscle contraction, and blood cell formation.
• Craft beer is a natural sleep and anti-anxiety aid. Hops, which are originally added to beer to bitter the taste, have been found to alleviate anxiety and insomnia. They promote relaxation and healthy sleep by raising the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid).
• Craft beer contains a lot of hops, which are a source of xanthohumol. This substance has been found to suppress carcinogenesis (the initiation of cancer) and block cancer progression.
• Craft beer is a rich source of dietary silicon, which may help prevent osteoporosis and aid in the development of bone and connective tissue growth.
• Craft beer may reduce inflammation. Consumption of hops in beer form has been found to interfere with inflammation-causing compounds.

Craft beer may make your heart healthier

The American Heart Association conducted a study in 2016, which found that moderate drinkers had the slowest decline in good cholesterol and, as a result, in cardiovascular diseases. Moderate beer drinkers were also less likely to die of heart disease.

Craft beer can also help to prevent heart failure, especially in moderate consumers. This is because craft beer can help to lower your cholesterol by raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.

In addition to these benefits, craft beer is a rich source of silicon, which plays a role in increasing bone mineral density and may help prevent osteoporosis.

Craft beer is a rich source of dietary silicon, which may help prevent osteoporosis and aid in the development of bone and connective tissue growth

Silicon is present in beer in the soluble form of orthosilicic acid (OSA), which yields 50% bioavailability. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dietary silicon, as soluble OSA, may be important for the growth and development of bone and connective tissue.

Research has shown that moderate beer consumption may help fight osteoporosis, a disease of the skeletal system characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.

The silicon content of beer is usually in the range of 20-50 mg/L. Drinking one beer a day should be sufficient to cover the recommended daily intake of silicon.

Craft beer may reduce inflammation

In addition, hops promote relaxation and healthful sleep by raising the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid). A resin from the female flower of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.) is what accounts for this relaxation-inducing mechanism. Even non-alcoholic beers can help with winding down from stress and staying asleep, as shown by a study involving stressed university students.

Craft beer may also reduce the risk of diabetes. People who drink three to four times a week are less likely to develop diabetes than non-drinkers, and men who enjoy one to six beers per week have a 21% lower risk of diabetes compared to those who don't drink beer.

Craft beer has as many antioxidants as wine, and more protein and vitamin B

Craft beer has been found to have several health benefits, but only when consumed in moderation. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines moderate consumption as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

Craft beer has also been found to:

• Lower the risk of diabetes
• Improve heart health
• Be a rich source of dietary silicon, which may help prevent osteoporosis and aid in the development of bone and connective tissue growth
• Protect your brain from compounds thought to cause Alzheimer's and dementia
• Keep a bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease from forming and growing on your teeth
• Reduce inflammation

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