| 2010 is a significant year for beer production. "Why?" | | | | found in the malt which goes into beer. For example |
| you may well ask. Well in 2010 world beer production | | | | one liter of beer provides 30% of the daily |
| is expected to exceed 2 billion hectoliters for the first | | | | requirement of magnesium, 25% of phosphorous and |
| time. | | | | 30% of potassium. |
| Two Thirds of all beer is sold in glass bottles and | | | | 5) Beer has low sodium and calcium content making it |
| 31.5% in cans. So if you drink kegged ale you are in a | | | | a good diuretic which leads to a good electrolyte |
| select minority. | | | | balance as sodium is excreted and potassium and |
| Imagine a country where beer is the staple food, civil | | | | magnesium are not. This helps guard against |
| servants and soldiers are paid in beer. Even children | | | | cardio-vascular disease and the formation of gall |
| drink light beer. Brewing is a state monopoly so that | | | | stones and urinary calculi (solids in the urinary tract |
| it remains affordable, and, landlords who adulterate | | | | which include kidney stones). |
| their beer are put to death. Such a country exists, | | | | 6) Beer contains essential amino acids in small |
| but where is it? Well actually it used to exist in Egypt | | | | quantities as well as 210 milligrams per liter of |
| 17 Centuries BC. | | | | vitamins. Predominantly Vitamin B (B1, B2, B6 but also |
| Beer was invented 3500 years BC in Mesopotamia | | | | H) which are good for your nerves and, wait for it, |
| but now the biggest market is China with 43,429.8 | | | | improve your concentration. In addition they promote |
| million liters per annum which is almost double the | | | | the formation of red blood cells. |
| 25,041 million liters market of USA and almost four | | | | 7) The hops in beer have a calming effect and |
| times the third and fourth markets of Brazil and | | | | reduce tension in your muscle. The relaxing effect is |
| Russia. | | | | also helped by the low alcohol content and in some |
| So let me extol the virtues of beer to you. Here are | | | | beers the carbonation. |
| ten good things about beer. | | | | 8) Beer is good for metabolism as it contains easily |
| 1) It does not have as many calories as you think. | | | | digestible protein and carbohydrate only a small |
| 200 milliliters of beer has a mere 76 Calories whereas | | | | amount of sugar and very little acid. |
| the same quantity of fruit juice has 96 Calories and | | | | 9) Beer is an excellent thirst quencher and it tastes |
| 200 grams of yogurt has 164 Calories - so drink beer | | | | good. There are so many beers on the market you |
| to get thin? Oh, I forgot beer gives you the | | | | have to be able to find one that you like. There are |
| "munchies" so the packet of crisps or nuts will add | | | | lagers, real ales, fruit ales, wheat beers, stouts etc. |
| the extra calories, plus who ever drunk 200ml of | | | | etc. Truly there is something for everyone if only |
| beer? The minimum is 375ml but mostly people drink | | | | they can be bothered to look. |
| 500ml ( about a pint) | | | | 10). It is not seasonally limited like wines which rely on |
| 2) Drunk in moderation, beer leads to a favorable fat | | | | fruit ripening. The ingredients are easily stored dry |
| sugar metabolism according to sports scientists. Even | | | | and brews made up as required |
| better is it helps the cholesterol balance and improves | | | | Finally and not least it is an excellent communication |
| the cardiovascular system. | | | | facilitator- many is the time a conversation is easier |
| 3) Polyphenols in beer are antioxidants and help | | | | after a few beers. But as Paracelsus observed "the |
| combat free radicals in the body. Free radicals are | | | | dose makes the poison" so don't overdose on beer |
| implicated in many health problems such as cancer. | | | | or it will poison you and your experience. |
| 4) More than 30 trace elements and minerals can be | | | | |
