That beer belly of yours might not be associated with beer at all, according to a Czech Republic study cited recently by Harvard’s Harvey B. Simon, M.D.
Though most of us can agree that drinking copious amounts of beer will more than likely result in negative health effects, scientific research suggests that consuming beer in moderation can actually improve your health. Take heart, beer lovers, and consider the following rewards of kicking back with your favorite brew.
Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
A lower risk of cardiovascular disease has been observed in men and women who drink beer. The higher HDL levels (known as “good cholesterol”) in alcohol can be linked to this, according to Harvard researchers, who observe a consistent 25-40% reduction in risk.
Having high levels of good cholesterol can be a big health boost for your heart, especially if you are able to keep levels of “bad” cholesterol down. Bad cholesterol weakens your heart and leads to more stress overall for your most important muscle.
Less Likely To Develop Diabetes
The experts at the Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine claim that moderate consumers of beer are 30% less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who abstain entirely.
This is particularly interesting since Type 2 diabetes is the type that has been rising in prominence in recent years, because of the link to obesity. Type 2 diabetes results when an individual becomes resistant to the insulin in their blood stream, or has a relatively low level of insulin.