Is beer good for me?

The keyword here is 'moderation'. Yes, in moderation, beer can be good for you. We've all seen local newspaper stories of these 90- and 100-year-olds who've lived a healthy life that includes a pint of beer a day.

The moderate drinker — and this applies to red wine drinkers, for instance, as well — can expect to have a reduced risk of heart disease, less chance of a stroke, and low blood pressure.

Compounds in hops called flavinoids have been found to help fight cancer, while a regular tipple has also been shown to aid resistance to osteoporosis, dementia and type II diabetes.

In May 2007, Italian research discovered that patients who drank one alcoholic drink a day — in most cases a glass of wine — developed dementia at a rate 85% slower than people who never drank alcohol.

And, of course, if you're drinking moderate amounts of real ale, as against a pasteurised keg product, you're getting the goodness of natural ingredients too.

DJN — July 2007