On the seventh day, mankind drank beer and it was both good and bad.
The poor soul above appears to be drowning his sorrows and his liver.
This is definitely not a regular occurrence recommended by MHB, no matter how much you might like our beer.
We list a summary of reasons for drinking REAL ALE in moderation:
Please see below for details.
However, first and foremost, how does one define REAL ALE?
BEWARE!
Many outlets advertise their ghastly, synthesized, fizzy, coloured beverages as TRADITIONAL ALES.
TRADITIONAL does not NECESSARILY mean REAL and one may prefer the term Virtual Ale for some so-called beers.
Real Ale may be defined as a wholesome product manufactured from just four natural ingredients, namely:
Regarding this issue, Real Ale is definitely good for you. There are flavenoids in hops and the brewing process passes these beneficial substances into the ale. Other good sources of flavenoids are tea leaves and red wine.
A flavenoid is a marvellous substance that gobbles up potentially dangerous particles in the bloodstream known as free radicals. Without getting too scientific, a free radical is a particle that has to react with another particle in order to achieve stability. Such a reaction may produce a toxin capable of destroying or irreverisibly damaging a useful component of almost any cell in the body.
Oh, you want to get more technical:
Ironically, all animals must eventually die due to the intake of the very element vital to their survival, ie. oxygen. Every breath we take enables the release of energy to fuel our lives, but also results in a tiny proportion of oxygen bypassing oxidative metabolic processes and producing free radicals. It is as if we are cursed at a cellular level; the oxygen itself then reacts with the free radical it has just produced, eg. fragments of a water molecule broken by a free oxygen molecule may react with oxygen to produce hydroxyl radicals, which can harm the genetic polymers that tell a cell everything from how to reproduce and repair itself to what its very function is.
Despite evolutionary defence mechanisms such as Vitamin E to mop up hydroxyl radicals and flavenoids to mop up free radicals, no-one is immortal. However, every cloud has a silver lining. Compared with us, the metabolism of mice is very fast. Free from predators and disease, mice rarely live longer than one year. Think yourself lucky!
(source of technical information: James Lovelock - The Ages of Gaia - page 165 - ISBN 0-19-286180-8)
(source of technical information: Jean Carper - Food, Your Miracle Medicine - various pages - ISBN 0-06-018321-7)
Calcium in Real Ale does NOT promote Kidney Stones.
Regarding the intake of fluids to flush the kidneys, beers contain
two stone-forming minerals found in urine, ie. calcium and oxalate.
The great news for beerdrinkers is, when ingested together, calcium
appears to tie up the oxalate in the intestine, preventing it from entering
the bloodstream and reaching the kidneys, where it may crystallize.
Calcium is the main constituent of kidney stones, but calcium-rich
foods do not deposit as much calcium in the bloodstream as proteins do.
(source of info: J. Carper - FYMM - See above)
Fluid is essential for lymph canals, draining of kidneys, neural connections (especially brainpower), etc.
We are 90% water and water is the best fluid to drink for pure replacement of fluid loss.
Real Ale is a source of fluid, but excessive alcohol dehydrates, so too much and you
are defeating the object. With its relatively low alcohol content, a
pint or two of Real Ale taken over the course of an hour or two can
replace fluid-loss and provide all the other benefits listed on this webpage.
Regarding synthetic chemicals, this is one major advantage of Real
Ale over Virtual Ales. The latter are pumped full of preservatives and
colourings and artificial flavourings. A hangover can be due to
dehydration from excessive alcohol intake, but is frequently due to
a bodily reaction to the intake of synthetic chemicals.
Real Ales are Organic! Nourishment without Punishment.
(source of info: J. Carper - FYMM - See above)
I think we all know about this one, but as the final section
stresses: Tipsy is okay. Plastered is NOT okay, except maybe once or twice
a year at (great? Buurrhh!) parties, but DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!
Excessive alcohol intake can significantly increase your chances of
CANCER of your upper and lower digestive tract, liver, prostate, breast
and especially your colon.
Drinking too much alcohol will cancel out every single benefit mentioned
above. It is NOT a case of the more you drink, the greater the benefits!
Do not drink any beers if you have:
Regarding the last two warnings, note that beer can double your
stomach acid within an hour.
Regarding the all too common Beer Gut, alcohol can anaesthetise the
stomach, which will then fail to tell you when you have eaten
sufficient food. Thinking you are still not full, you may well over-eat!
2. Good for the Heart
N.B. ALCOHOL IN HEAVY DOSES IS A HEART POISON!
Real Ale:
3. Good Source of Calcium
4. Extra Source of Fluid without Synthetic Chemicals
HANGOVER EXPLAINED:
5. Can Raise Oestrogen Levels in Older Women
There is strong evidence to suggest that Real Ale imbibed every other
day can raise oestrogen levels in older women by 10 to 20% as much as
some HRT's do. This comforts the menopause and helps to protect against
osteoporosis. Alcohol itself has this effect, but with Real Ale, plant
oestrogens in the grain and/or hops increase the desired effects.
6. Good for Relaxation of Body and Mind, Encouraging Happiness
7. Good Only in Moderation
So, some final words of warning: Do not pickle your liver. Do not drink and drive. Do not drink heavily if you have behavioural problems.
Enjoy your Real Ale in moderation!