As always, this information is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Consult with your health care team for all things medical.

If you haven’t already gleaned it from part 1 of this article, I am an unapologetic fan of beer. I’m not quite a beer snob yet though I’m still working on it, so give me time. All joking aside, I firmly believe this wonderful drink has massive, untapped value not only socially and economically but physically and psychologically as well. Few things are better than an easy-to-down session beer on a hot day or a pint of coffee stout with hints of chocolate around a fire as the fall days grow colder. A good beer can bring friends together for conversation or be the perfect complement to a meal the same as wine. Like local produce, beer is an important part of the local economy and a good beer hall, or public house, is often the hub of a community.

In the last installment of this article, I cited another article titled, The Health Benefits of Beer, found on the Piedmont Healthcare website. The article listed eight specific reasons why beer was beneficial to your health, though my research, both reading, and tasting, has led to many more. I’ve posted a few more benefits below, though I could go on and on. The thing to remember is that all of these benefits correspond to moderate beer consumption. Typically this means no more than 1-2 beers per day for men and no more than 1 for women.

Beer strengthens your bones. Beer is high in silicon, a naturally occurring mineral found in coffee and certain vegetables. Silicon has been linked to hair and nail strength as well as firmer skin. In addition, silicon may improve bone and immune health and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, the accumulation of plaque inside your arteries.

Beer reduces stress. Well, this one is a no-brainer, but science backs it up. Researchers found that two glasses of beer (remember, moderation is the key) can reduce anxiety. However, excessive alcohol consumption may lead to dependence and is not a long-term solution to managing stress and depression.

Beer may improve memory. No, drinking beer by the barrel will not improve your odds of becoming the next Jeopardy champion. Moderate consumption, however, may slow down the normal degradation of memory that comes from aging. (I’m still waiting for this one to kick in.) Hops, the little plants that give beer its bitterness, contain Xanthohumol, a flavonoid that helps with memory and slows down the oxidative damage to brain cells. In addition, according to a research article published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, moderate beer consumption has also been associated with improved brain function in middle-aged people. (Check back with me in a few years, as I am currently conducting an independent study;)

The takeaway from all of this is that most things can be enjoyed in moderation and that the health benefits of anything can be complex and depend upon many factors. Things such as medication, personal health history, family genetics, gender, lifestyle habits such as smoking, exercise, and diet all play come into play. So, as always, check with your doctor if you have concerns. If you are healthy and/or your doctor gives you the green light for an occasional pint of this magical elixir, enjoy or, as I would hear growing up, salute!

For more information about fitness and wellness or if you would like to connect with Dave, find him online at bellomofitness.com or check out Bellomo Fitness on Facebook.