The truth of the matter

Chidi Nduka Aja

Do you drink beer? Do you have friends who drink beer? Have you tried it and given up, or have any of your friends? One reason you and your buddies may not be drinkers of beer is that the medical advantages have been hidden from the general public for many years, and the reason usually advanced for this obfuscation is the patronising one that beer, delightful as it is to take and good as it is for the heart, cannot be trusted to the masses lest they drink themselves to death.

Propelled by the need for education, to present facts as they are, Nigerian Breweries Plc is leading the campaign for moderate and responsible drinking with a symposium on Beer and Lifestyle. “Whilst beer is part of our culture and it’s healthy to drink in moderation, it’s important to make the point that misuse of alcohol is not cool,” says Jean- Francois van Boxmeer, Heineken chairman and CEO.

  In its second year, the symposium which seeks to educate the public on the benefits of beer drinking brought together a team of experts and lovers of beer who laid to rest the age old stereotypes and myths associated with drinking beer.

Emevwo Biakolo, conference chairman, whose remark centred on ‘mythologies of beer culture’, offered three myths in place of over one hundred associated with beer drinking that exist.

Myth one, according to the erudite professor is that beer is bad for health. This myth, he says, has been around a long time promoted by teetotallers and some religious buffs.  But the counter myth drink beer and live longer is a response from unrepentant boozers.

Myth two, drinking alcohol (beer) will lead you to hell is a religious language which claim that consumption of alcohol is morally and spiritually wrong. The counter myth 2: let us drink and be happy for
tomorrow we die, has been associated with pagan culture from the distant past till the present. It is allegedly based on the epicurean ideology.

The plain truth, he says is that while many religious teachers from different faiths have been teetotalers with complete abstention, the evidence is that Jesus drank alcoholic wine, even if in moderate quantities. “He was frequently in the company of drinkers and was accused of being a drunkard.

“The early church insisted that the communion wine must be alcoholic to be ritually acceptable.”

Myth No 3: Never trust a man (or woman) who drinks, he says, is drinking, and particularly drinking beer, has been associated with weakness of character, immorality and irresponsibility. But the counter myth fires back with never trust a man (or woman) who does not drink because devotees of alcohol believe that the socialization promoted by beer drinking or alcohol consumption in general is associated with having a public or communal spirit. Also, a person who drinks can thus be trusted with public things, unlike a teetotaler who is associated with gloominess, insensitivity, secretiveness and thus untrustworthiness

Biakolo noted that It is possible to be happy and healthy and holy drinking beer into ripe old age. It is also possible to be happy and healthy and holy not drinking beer or other alcohol into ripe old age.

He indulges himself with a bottle or two of beer “because I see no real harm; instead I have seen some health benefits personally. Because the social reasons are for me of equal importance as the health ones. Because good habit, like other types of habits…Die Hard. Because I am in very good company…”

Making a case for moderate drinking of beer, Tony Agenmonmen, senior strategy manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said even good things can become a stumbling block to us, if used without moderation. According to him, “to drink moderately is to drink within the limits set by your health, the society in which you live and your obligations to your family and friends.”

Agenmonmen pointed out that there are many misconceptions associated with beer drinking, some of which include, fattening; gives pot belly; processed; responsible for accidents; not good for old age; a guys’ thing; not good for the heart; responsible for misbehavior; not good with food; and promotes violence, but said it is the misuse and abuse that is the problem.

Emphasizing that moderate beer drinking can offer some health benefits, he gave the following strategies for moderation:

•         Eat before drinking

•         Space your drinks

•         Alternate alcoholic drinks with water

•         Avoid drinking games

•         Learn to refuse drinks

•         Drink slower

“Drinking beer is not the problem. It’s how much you drink that counts. That is why moderation is important,” he declared.

Henk FJ Hendriks, who discussed on ‘why moderate beer consumption is beneficial for cardiovascular health’, gave advantages of beer to include:

•      Low percentage of alcohol

•      Contains large quantities of water, may play a role in rehydration

•      Beer is a good source of minerals

•      Beer, like wine,  is a good source of polyphenolic antioxdants

•      Contains anti-inflammatory xanthohumoles

•      Brewing uses a large variety of raw materials, including gluten-free

•      Rich in fibers

•      Homocysteine / B vitamins

According to him, moderate beer/alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk for metabolic diseases, viz. cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The beneficial effects of moderate beer/alcohol consumption are mediated by improvements in lipid (cholesterol) metabolism, blood clotting and glucose metabolism.

Beer contains low concentrations of alcohol and a large number of additional ingredients that are associated with health. These include, amongst others minerals, vitamins and polyphenols.

Risk reduction is additive to other healthy life style factors like non-smoking, physical activity and a healthy diet. As such moderate alcohol consumption fits in a healthy life style.

Speaking on ‘beer, women and healthy living’, Dolapo Coker, former national president, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, said while she believes that there are no good foods and there are no bad foods because every food has its own nutrients and its beneficial limits, she does not believe that one should run away from any particular food, except it is spoilt. According to her, the craving for the food will persist, and when you have the opportunity to pounce on it, you might compensate for the long-time of deprivation, and eat more than necessary. “What you need to do is to acquire discipline and learn to limit the amount of servings of that problem food or drink.”

Recommending moderate drink of -one 12oz bottle a day for women, Coker stated that loads of research and studies on the effect of beer on the wellbeing of women, suggest that moderate drinking of beer is beneficial. Beer can increase your vitamin B levels, as it contains vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12. A Dutch study found that beer drinkers had 30% higher levels of vitamin B6 than their non-drinkers, and twice as much as those of wine drinkers. Beer is also a generous source of B12, an anti-anaemic factor not found in many foods. Other benefits include:

•      Beer contains folic acid, which is a factor against coronary heart disease.

•      The fibre in beer helps to reduce your LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) which is called the “bad cholesterol”. LDL collects in the walls of blood vessels causing the blockages of atherosclerosis which leads to heart attack.

•      Beer aids digestion, as the soluble fibre from the cell walls of barley in it, protects you from intestinal disorders like constipation and diarrhoea. Dark beer in particular contains up to one gram of soluble fibre in each 30cl glass, unlike wine which does not contain any fibre at all.

•      Beer keeps your kidneys healthy, as each bottle reduces the risk of developing kidney stones by 40%. This is adduced to the diuretic power of beer as it is over 90% water.

•      Beer reduces the risk of developing gall stones.

•      Beer contains flavonoids which have preventive effect against hormone-caused cancers, such as breast and uterine cancers.

•      The bitter substance derived from hops, Isohumulones, may improve lipid metabolism, prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes.

•      The ingredients in beer help to prevent blood clots from forming.

•      Beer drinkers have a 40 – 60% reduced risk of suffering a heart attack compared with non-beer drinkers.

•      Beer has a positive effect on insomnia, as lactoflavin and nicotinic acid in it can promote sleep.

•      Beer can give you stronger bones. This is adduced to the elevated levels of silicon in beer. Also has calcium for healthy bones and teeth, especially in post-menopausal women.

•      Beer consumption by the elderly appears to be associated with longer survival and better cognitive function. It also stimulates their appetite and promotes bowel function.

•      Beer is a valuable source of polyphenols which lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases, due to the antioxidant properties. Antioxidants act against free radicals to prevent inflammations.

•      Certain vitamins in beer can regenerate the skin. This makes the skin smoother, suppler and more beautiful.

•      Beer drinkers are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia than non-beer drinkers. Beer boosts your memory.

Work-related stress or anxiety can be reduced by moderate drinking of beer.

•      Beer increases insulin sensitivity and lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

•      Beer is low in sugar, unlike soft drinks and juices, so no blood sugar spikes.

•      Beer is lower in alcohol than wine and lower in calorie.

•      Beer reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and joint pains.

•      It is said that drinking of warm beer is an excellent cold remedy.  When barley is warmed up, it improves blood circulation and helps you breath better when you feel congested. It also relieves joint pain and boosts your immunity. (you need to talk to your doctor on this cold remedy). Don’t forget that “there are different strokes for different folks”.

For Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, moderation is the watchword. Obi-Uchendu, who spoke on ‘beer and youth culture’, said “As with anything in life, it is impossible to consume beer excessively and expect the same results. Even water can lead to many complications when consumed a little too much. Food is important to our existence but too much food comes with its own health issues. Medication heals us. But going above a doctor’s prescription is a license to death. Thus, excessive consumption of beer is what leads to all the stereotypes associated with it. Like we say in Igbo; “ihe n’ato uto, n’egbu egbu.” The things you enjoy a little too much can kill. Beer can be you friend if you treat it with respect and manage it like you should. A beer a day instead of an apple, may just keep the doctor away.”

Tola Atinmo, professor of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, further highlighted the health benefits of moderate beer intake.

Atinmo, who spoke on Healthy lifestyle and beer consumption: Any nexus?, provided the following evidence:

•      Provides vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids. Beer is rich in many B-group vitamins and minerals such as magnesium. The barley and hops used in the production of beer are rich in flavonoids, which have powerful antioxidant effects.

•      Lowers risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). There is quite strong evidence that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption has cardio-protective properties. Many studies demonstrate a lower coronary heart disease incidence among moderate beer drinkers. Moderate drinkers are at lower risk of CHD-related mortality than both heavy drinkers and abstainers. The vitamin B6 in beer also seems to prevent the alcohol-induced rise in blood homocysteine, a probable heart disease risk factor.

•      Helps produce good cholesterol. Moderate alcohol drinking affects many processes in the body, one of which is the significant increase in HDL cholesterol—the good cholesterol. There is evidence supporting beer's cardio-protective effect and its help in altering the ratio of beneficial HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol.

•      Reduces risk of kidney stones. Beer consumption may reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. Finnish researchers found that there was a 40% lower risk of kidney stones among beer drinkers.

•      Protects against radiation. Japanese researchers found that beer helps reduce chromosomal damage from radiation exposure.

According to him, the summary downside of excessive
beer consumption include:

•      Beer belly." Heavy beer drinking may promote abdominal obesity (the so-called "beer belly") in men

•      Heartburn. Beer contains powerful stimulants of gastric acid secretion and may provoke gastroesophageal reflux and cause heartburn

•      High blood pressure. Daily beer consumption (approximately 40 g of alcohol) may increase blood pressure

•      Intoxication and dehydration. Alcohol is a dehydrating agent and downer that reduces activity of the central nervous system. High amounts of alcohol can turn into dehydration, intoxication, and hangover

•      Impairment of driving-related skills. Even small amounts of alcohol can have adverse effects on attention and motor skills. Many serious accidents are alcohol related.