Issue 1
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JUNE 2011 produced by the bbpa
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
A Refreshing Summer tale
A Sweet DISCOVERY
Pg: 2 BEER NEWS
Pg: 3
The Silicon link to healthier bones Pg: 4
The truth about beer
BARLEY
& HOPS
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Media headlines would mistakenly have us believe that while red wine drinkers enjoy good health, beer drinkers risk exactly the opposite. When it comes to alcohol misuse, you will have noticed for yourself that beer is nearly always held up as a ‘bad’ example by the media.
Brigid Simmonds
Whilst the misuse of beer and other alcoholic drinks is undoubtedly a concern, if you compare consumption figures amongst UK adults to 10 years ago, drinking has actually declined1, and the vast majority of adults enjoy consuming alcoholic beverages in moderation. This is demonstrated by statistics from the NHS Information Centre which show that the numbers of adults drinking at harmful levels in 2008 was 5.8% of the population. Furthermore, there is now a wealth of new evidence indicating that drinking beer is indeed a ‘safer’ option to other, higher strength alcoholic drinks. In reality, as a ‘natural and wholesome’ drink, beer contains vitamins that can help you to maintain a well-balanced healthy diet, fibre to keep you regular, readily absorbed antioxidants which can help to protect against heart disease and even some cancers and minerals such as silicon which
FAT
can lower the risk of osteoporosis. In addition beer contains ethanol, which whilst present in wine and spirits at much higher levels, in small amounts is known to be a protective factor against a whole range of health issues, including atherosclerosis, inflammatory disease of the blood vessel walls, strokes, type II diabetes, gallstones, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. We are also keen to dispel the mythical ‘beer belly’ – if consumed in moderation alongside a healthy lifestyle, evidence shows that beer will not cause you to become fat. In fact half a pint of 4% lager contains only 94 calories - less than the same amount of orange juice or milk and much less than a typical glass of wine (175 ml) at 131 calories. But the pros don’t end there. Beer is our national drink and part of our great British heritage. From the early ale houses of medieval times to today’s gastro pubs, beer is right at the heart of our social life. The brewing industry supports thousands of jobs with most ingredients being ‘home-grown’ and tourists flocking to our watering holes. On a final note, beer offers myriad tastes and complexities that appeal to a wide range of people. From refreshing lager, dark stouts, nutty milds and the well-known bitter, to fruit-based varieties and even non-alcoholic beers, there is a taste to suit every palate. We know that there is some way to go to get the all-important moderation message across to the
References: 1. According to data based on HMRC alcohol tax returns analysed by the British Beer and Pub Association http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and-lifestyles/alcohol/statistics-on-alcohol-england-2009-%5Bns%5D (2006 data) http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and-lifestyles/alcohol/statistics-on-alcohol-england-2010 (2008 data)
BEER
95% WATER
/2 PINT OF
1
BEER ONLY 94 CALORIES
public. However, there is certainly a place for beer in the lives of those who drink sensibly and enjoy a balanced diet. I’ve mentioned just some of the many benefits provided by beer, and we hope that you enjoy finding out more in this and subsequent issues of The Natural Choice. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive, British Beer and Pub Association.