Is Beer A Super-food Health Drink?

I think it depends which doctor you go to. Here are two recent research reports … I go with number two!

1. A single alcoholic drink per day could put health at risk: Research published by the British Medical Journal has suggested that a single alcoholic drink per day could be enough to increase the risk of heart disease. Previous studies had suggested that between 12 to 25 units a week could be good for the heart and could reduce the risk of problems. The BMJ concluded (at least in this study), that its findings simplified the approach to alcohol in that it concluded that no level of consumption was actually beneficial.
2.  But another, rather unlikely low-sugar beverage is increasingly being hailed for its health benefits – beer! Research suggests it can help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, aid weight loss and even balance hormones – and now it’s attracting more and more health-conscious men and women.

A raft of female celebrities are also embracing the brew. Actress Mila Kunis says her favourite drink is Blue Moon beer, while supermodel Elle Macpherson revealed recently that she washes her hair with it. Even saintly Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow has said she “can’t get enough of Guinness”.

So what are the benefits of beer, and can it really be good for you?

A VITAMIN-PACKED PINT
“If you analysed beer you would be amazed at how many super-nutrients there are in it” says Dr Stephan Domenig, medical director of The Original F.X. Mayr Health Centre in Austria. “Beer contains  all of the essential – and many of the non-essential – amino acids.”. As well as these protein-building blocks and minerals including phosphorus, iodine, magnesium and potassium, beer is rich in calcium - so could benefit your bones.

A study by Tufts University in the United States in 2009 found that moderate beer consumption can protect bone mineral density. For years Guinness was even prescribed to pregnant women due to its high Vitamin B content. “It’s  now recommended that pregnant women avoid alcohol but other people could benefit” says nutritionist Vicki Edgson.

Choose unpasteurised beer for the greatest health benefits. Pasteurising, or heating to prolong its shelf-life, reduces some nutritional value as the ‘living’ content is removed, says Georgina Young, head brewer at Fuller’s. And cloudy beer is best as filtering removes the yeast and therefore a lot of B vitamins.


Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-dispensable Personal Licence Courses

Latest Research Reveals Alcohol is Good For Health and Sex

I always knew that my dear old Dad was right when he told me "Son, a little of what you fancy does you good … but all things in moderation". Now I learn that my favourite pastime, a visit to the pub for a few jars is good for me!

Tony Edwards, a science journalist and writer, has brought together leading research on the effects of alcohol and found that, far from being harmful, drinking could prevent illness. Red wine is best, and beer works too - but must still be drunk in moderation.

More good news, drinking can improve your sex life! Tony writes: In a 2009 study, the University of Florence asked 800 women aged between 18 and 50 to answer a standard questionnaire on 'female sexual function'. What did they discover? Teetotallers scored 68 per cent on sexual satisfaction, those who regularly drank a single glass of red wine 72 per cent, and those who often drank two glasses 76 per cent. Ah, but is this a causal relationship or just a correlation? In other words, does red wine marginally improve a woman’s sex life, or do the kind of women who choose to drink it also have a good sex life? We don’t know.

Male wine-drinkers haven’t yet had their sex lives investigated. The only data I can find is that a constituent of red wine increases the effectiveness of the erectile dysfunction drug, Levitra — but only if you’re a rat, perhaps some of my male buddies should be aware of this.

Tony also tells us in his new book, 'The Good News About Booze', that drinking is also good for many (many) ailments and writes: A businessman goes to his GP and complains "My hands hurt, I get a bit of a pain in my chest sometimes, and I’m beginning to forget things". The doctor examines him and says "You’ve got a touch of arthritis, possibly mild heart disease, and you may be in the first stages of dementia. How much are you drinking?". "Never touch a drop, doctor" says the patient proudly. "Ah, that explains it" says the GP, wagging an admonishing finger. "Here’s a prescription for red wine and a few pints of bitter".

So, buy his book and read it in the pub! You will get educated and improve your life chances at the same time (you will also be with like minded people) I think the research should also focus on the fact that a visit to the pub is good for you!

Oh, and before I get castigated; of course "Drink Responsibly".


Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses

'Medicinal' E-Cigarettes And The Pub Industry

A good mate of mine, a lifetime smoker is desperately trying to kick the habit. He has tried it all; cold turkey, patches, counselling - you name it, he’s tried it. Now however, the one thing that is really helping him, 'e-cigarettes' are under threat.

Firstly J D Wetherspoon have banned them from all of their pubs. Their reason is a credible one, in as much as they claim these 'cigarettes' are very difficult to distinguish from the real thing, and so their staff are having to “police the pubs” - distracting them from their real job of serving customers.

The CEO of E-Lites Adrian Everett however claims there can be no confusion because his product gives off a green light. He (not surprisingly) wants to see more pubs allow and encourage them, to help individuals kick the tobacco habit and for the greater health of the nation.

Professor John Britton head of the BMA’s Tobacco control Group says e-cigarettes will save the lives of 5 million smokers if they use these instead of tobacco!

E-cigarettes, which use a vapour containing nicotine are now however to face more regulation and will in 2016 be re-classified as MEDICATION. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has said that it does not recommend people use e-cigarettes but has not banned them as it will likely drive smokers back to tobacco.

In the meantime my mate continues his battle. It will be interesting to know just how many pubs allow them or disallow them. Just another battle for our industry!


Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training