Beer and other alcoholic drinks are often portrayed as having largely undesirable attributes, especially when one consumes a large amount of alcohol over a short period of time. However, recent studies on the effects of beer on health indicate that there quite a number of significant benefits to be gained from average consumption of beer and other alcoholic drinks.

Regular beer has an alcohol content of about 4-6%. Traditional wine, in comparison has an average alcohol content of 8-14%. In majority of the studies, the moderate amount of beer that was consumed was about 12 ounces.

Studies that examined the effects of beer on health also found that the moderate amount of beer was different for men and women. The moderate amount of beer for women was one drink per day and for men, the maximum amount of beer consumed that can be regarded moderate was limited to two drinks. The difference between the two sexes is linked to the presence of alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme. Women tend to produce less of this enzyme as compared to men and as such, it is thought to be the reason as to why women tend to become drunk than men while drinking a lower amount of alcohol.

Results on research carried out on the effects of beer on health indicate that one of the benefits that one can gain from moderate intake of beer or any other alcoholic drink is higher HDL cholesterol levels, which is the good type of cholesterol to have within one’s bloodstream.

Moreover, another important advantage of moderate intake of beer is that drinkers of beer tend to have lower levels of fibrinogen. Fibrinogen is a protein compound that promotes the formation of blood clots. In a number of cases, high levels of this protein substance have resulted in fatal or otherwise severe strokes in a number of high-risk people. As such, recent studies indicate that moderate intake of beer will likely reduce the fibrinogen levels within one’s body.

Another one of the effects of beer on health is that beer is a rich source of dietary silicon. Silicon is an essential mineral used in the creation and growth of strong bones and support structures within the body.

Some of the more significant effects of beer on health include reduced risk of coronary heart disease, as well as atherosclerosis i.e. hardening of the veins and other common cardiovascular diseases. Moderate consumption of alcohol dilates the blood vessels and thus reduces the pressure on the heart to pump blood throughout the body.

Though the above facts may sound good to beer drinkers, it should be noted that the beneficial effects of beer on health are only gained through moderate intake of the drink. Extreme consumption does not have any benefits and can in fact create more serious health risks instead. These can include liver damage, obesity, stomach ulcers and alcohol addiction.