Red wine, though rich in antioxidants, doesn’t hold the monopoly as the only alcoholic beverage with health benefits. America’s growing craft beer trend has brought new awareness, and new research, to the impressive nutritive value of this ancient brew.
Craft (or microbrew) beers are beers that are not mass produced and commonly exclude adjuncts such as rice and corn. This means they have a higher concentration of barley and hops, which have a considerable amount of nutrition. And because they don’t follow existing brew-style parameters, craft beers often incorporate unique or exotic ingredients such as pumpkin, pecans, fruit, herbs, spices and honey, all of which add to its health benefits.
For the past two decades, studies have shown that intake of any alcoholic beverage can have a benefit on cardiovascular health. But recent studies have linked beer intake with a lower risk of kidney stones and a protective effect for bone mineral density. The nutrition profile of beer is also improving – it contains protein and a significant amount of fiber, vitamin B12, selenium and silicon, as compared to wine.
When choosing a craft beer, keep these three things in mind: the more malt, the more B-vitamins; the more hops, the higher the phytochemical content; and the darker the beer, the more fiber content.
So, where can you find craft beers locally? In Mobile, check out Ashland Midtown Pub, which features over 18 different craft beers by the bottle and two craft beers on tap, one of which is Blue Moon, a domestic beer spiced with coriander and orange peel. And if you’re up for a little drive, visit Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company in Kiln, Miss., where they have an award-winning Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale made with wheat grain and whole roasted pecans.
While you’re out exploring all the new varieties of craft beer, remember that moderate consumption means one 12-ounce beer per day for women and two for men. Cheers to good health!
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