Drinking a beer is more than just a favorite way to enjoy spending time with your friends. Moderate beer drinking can also have significant health benefits.

But what is moderate beer drinking? It varies depending on where you are in the world.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it’s up to one drink per day for women and up to two for men. However, in the United Kingdom, it’s defined as up to three for females and four for men.

Now that you know what moderate beer drinking is, how can it help you to live a healthier life?

Read on to learn 5 reasons you should drink a beer today.

1. Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Moderate beer drinking can help you to lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

According to a study by Loyola University Chicago, “moderate social drinking may significantly reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.”

Some researchers believe that moderate consumption helps improve blood flow to your brain. This helps increase your brain’s metabolism, which helps it get rid of toxins.

2. Reduce Your Chances of a Heart Attack

Drinking a pint of beer each day can reduce your risk of having a heart attack.

According to research by the University of Cambridge and University College London, moderate beer drinkers were less likely to see doctors for seven different conditions, including heart attacks, than heavy drinkers or those who abstained from alcohol altogether.

3. Decreased Chance of Type II Diabetes

You can reduce your chances of having Type II diabetes when you drink a beer.

Diabetes is a disease that causes abnormal sugar levels in the blood. Type II diabetes is a form of the disease where your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or is resistant to it.

As a moderate beer drinker, your risk of developing Type II diabetes is reduced by 30%. It’s a staggering statistic that helps illustrate there is much more to beer than just calories and carbohydrates — a stigma held by some people.

4. Consume Antioxidants That Fight Cancer

Beer also has a well-known ingredient that is not as well-known for its cancer-fighting benefits.

The hops in beer produce a natural by-product called xanthohumol. This antioxidant has been shown to help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

5. Enjoy Stronger Bone Density

Milk is well-known for helping to improve bone density because of its calcium levels. But did you know beer also helps strengthen your bones too?

A study by Tufts University found that elderly individuals who drank one to two beers each day had higher boned density than those that did not.

Wrapping Up: Drink a Beer Today

Moderate beer drinking can be a great way to relax and receive some added health benefits. But drinking beer is just one way to enjoy alcohol that can have a positive effect on your life.

This list doesn’t cover all the ways beer or other types of alcohol can help you improve your health. Check out this post on how probiotic beer can help your digestive system!