Beer and Alzheimer's

Moderate beer drinking might prevent Alzheimer's disease. It is reported in Food Chemical Toxicology, 46: 49-56, 2008, that Spanish researchers have identified that the silicone contained in beer might bind to the aluminium in your body and prevent the uptake of the aluminium by the brain. Most researchers believe that the cause of Alzheimer's is an accumulation of aluminium in the brain.

Aside from the benefits that might be derived with relation to Alzheimer's, it is also noted that drinking two beers a day reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood vessel disease. Another bonus of beer is that it serves to increase levels of HDL which is the good cholesterol. The good news just keeps on coming because the two beers that you get to drink also include polyphenols which are the antioxidants that prevent the free radicals from doing their damage. However, to get the same amount of polyphenols of a glass of red wine you would need to drink a pint of beer. The moral of this story would be to alternate your beer and wine days. After all variety is the spice of life!

Yet, we all know that excesses of anything have their down sides. In this case too much beer will lead to health issues such as obesity becoming more prevalent. However, it is the other effects of alcohol such as violence, bad behaviour, stupidity, accidents, and the like which demand that moderation be the key to your drinking.

Time for a beer!