Scientists confirm what we’ve always known about drinking a pint of beer
SUPPING beer makes people happier and healthier, scientists have found.
Those who enjoy a moderate amount of ale each day have better mental and medical health than teetotallers and former drinkers.
Ninety per cent rated their mental health as “good” compared to 80 per cent of non-drinkers.
And 80 per cent said their physical health was good, versus half of abstainers.
Meanwhile, drinkers were half as likely to suffer “physical limitations” to their daily lives — 15 per cent compared to 30 per cent.
They were also more likely to exercise but ate less fruit and veg.
Heavier boozers rated their health better but experts warned of a “double-edged habit” as they ate more junk food and smoked more.
Spain’s University of Murcia team studied 33,185 adults.
They defined moderate drinking as one pint of five per cent beer per day for men, equivalent to three units, and half a pint for women or 1.5 units.
Professor Ernesto De la Cruz-Sánchez said: “Beer consumption shows better indicators of physical, mental and emotional health than in abstainers and ex-drinkers.
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Research has suggested low doses of alcohol can improve heart health and the immune system.”
Other studies suggest regular beer drinking boosts gut bacteria to reduce diabetes and heart disease risk and helps beat dementia by reducing brain toxins.