Newsletter 3

ISSUE 3 ISSUE 3

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SEPTEMBER 2012

PRODUCED BY THE BBPA

thenaturalchoice

SEPTEMBER 2012

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

THE HAIR DIET: A GLASS OF BEER AND A JUICY STEAK

MODERATE DRINKERS MORE LIKELY TO BE HEALTHY IN LATER LIFE

MODERATE DRINKING ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER RISK OF STROKE IN WOMEN

Pg: 2NEWS BEER

THE HAIR DIET: A GLASS OF BEER AND A JUICY STEAK

Pg: 3

Pg: 4

BEER HAS FEWER CALORIES THAN YOU THINK HAIR IS HUGELY AFFECTED BY YOUR DIET AND LIFESTYLE, AND THE health of the hair follicle – the living part of the hair – is reliant on your intake of nutrients and vitamins. The follicle is surrounded by blood vessels that provides nutrients and helps to produce a substance known as keratin, which eventually forms a strand of hair. If you’re not eating a balanced diet, you’re not supplying the follicle with the nutrients they need, and your hair will pay the price in seeming dull and lifeless. It will

become finer and lighter in colour, and become prone to split ends. You can contribute to the health of your hair by consuming organic fruit, veg, meat and dairy. In particular, iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of thinning hair, particularly in women, so eating

red meat can help to maintain a good iron intake. Beer also contains many of the important nutrients that contribute to good ‘hair health’ including silicon, which has been shown to be essential for stronger hair, nails and bones, and also zinc, which is essential for keratin production and ensures hair thickness.

ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH BY COMRES ON BEHALF OF THE British Beer & Pub Association, most Brits overestimate the number of calories in beer, with women more likely to do so than men.

74%

OF WOMEN OVERESTIMATE THE CALORIE CONTENT OF BEER

60%

OF MEN OVERESTIMATE THE CALORIE CONTENT OF BEER

30%

WOULD NOW CONSIDER DRINKING LOWER ALCOHOL BEER ON A HOT SUMMER’S DAY

55% OF RESPONDENTS DON’T KNOW THE NUMBER OF CALORIES IN TYPICAL DRINKS

References: Extracted from Feed Your Face by Jessica Wu, published by Piatkus.

THE KEY INGREDIENT OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE: DRINK THREE GLASSES OF BEER A DAY? IT IS A COMMON, YET UNFOUNDED, PERCEPTION that beer makes you fat and unhealthy. However, there is mounting evidence that shows quite the opposite. Experts now agree that middle-aged and older people can in good conscience replace the daily red wine, which has many well-known benefits, with a cold beer. Beer is now better understood and can be at least as beneficial as wine when consumed in moderation, which is up to three glasses of beer a day, according to the conclusion in the report by Per Burn Langgaard ‘Beer and Health’, presented at the international conference ‘Beer and Nutrition’ at Copenhagen University. These

benefits include; the prevention of heart disease in men and women over 45 and 35 years respectively, a lower risk of diabetes and hypertension, and a lower risk of osteoporosis especially in women who have experienced the menopause. It is further indicated that beer may prevent many other diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, obesity and depression. In fact, according to international researchers at the Danish conference, it is time to do away with the notion that wine is the only type of alcohol with health benefits!

References: Per Burn Langgaard Report, Copenhagen University ‘Beer & Health’.

For more information, spokespeople and photography contact the press office for the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) at Trinity PR on 077 0948 7960, email jo.gulliver@trinitypr.co.uk or visit www.beergenie.co.uk.

The research found that 19 per cent of people correctly estimated the calorie content of beer – fewer than for wine, where 25 per cent of people guessed correctly. However when questioned, women are significantly more likely to overestimate the calorie content of drinks (wine, beer, orange juice). The gap in understanding between the sexes is most noticeable when it comes to beer, with a surprising 74 per cent of women overestimating its calorie content compared with 60 per cent of men. The research also indicates that women appear to be more receptive than men to the idea of drinking beer at 2.8 per cent ABV – a new, lower strength beer option which has been steadily growing in popularity - in order to cut down on their alcohol consumption and reduce calorie intake. Thirty per cent of beer drinkers also say they would now consider lower alcohol beer as an ideal drink for a hot summer day.

However, the survey also found that around half (53-55 per cent) of respondents did not know the number of calories in a range of popular drinks. You may be surprised to learn that beer is less calorific than wine: • A half pint (284ml) of 2.8 per cent ABV bitter (80 calories) • A half pint (284ml) of 4 per cent ABV lager (96 calories) • A 175ml glass of 12.5 per cent red wine (119 calories) • A 175ml glass of 12.5 per cent white wine (131 calories) As well as having lower calories, beer contains absolutely no fat or cholesterol, and is low in carbohydrates. So, if you’re trying to keep a track of calories and units, then beer in moderation, particularly lower strength beer, is a great option.

References: ComRes surveyed 2,046 GB adults online between 18th and 20th May 2012. ComRes surveyed 2,003 GB adults online between 20th and 22nd January 2012. Data are weighted to be demographically representative of the population. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full data tables can be found at www.comres.co.uk

ISSUE 3

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thenaturalchoice

SEPTEMBER 2012

DO LIFESTYLE CHOICES EXPLAIN THE EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON BMD IN MENOPAUSAL WOMEN?

MODERATE DRINKERS MORE LIKELY TO BE HEALTHY IN LATER LIFE

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN COMBINATION WITH A healthy lifestyle has been shown to have a positive effect on bone health. However, a study published earlier this year demonstrated that moderate alcohol intake appears to be positively associated with bone mineral density (BMD) independently of the type of lifestyle led by women around menopause.

REGULAR, MODERATE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY WOMEN in their fifties could raise overall health among those who survive in their seventies, according to a recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. The study found that enjoying a glass of beer, wine or spirits improves women’s chances of avoiding heart disease, diabetes and other mental and physical disorders in later life. Drinking moderately over a few days has been shown to be healthier than drinking just once or twice a week. Women with an average age of 58 who drank 5-15g per night had a 20 per cent better chance of good health than non-drinkers,

while those who drank 15-30g were 30 per cent more likely to be healthy in old age.

A group of 3,218 women aged 50-62 years were studied in the Aberdeen Prospective Osteoporosis Screening Study. Results showed that women who consumed more than one drink of alcohol per day had a significantly greater neck

Researchers also believe that women who regularly drink a small amount of alcohol tend to have a number of other characteristics such as an active social life and a healthy appetite, which all help towards reducing a person’s risk of health conditions in later life.

BMD and lumbar spine BMD (after lifestyle adjustment) than those who never consumed alcohol. However, for separate alcoholic drinks, only beer has a positive effect on lumbar spine BMD. These study results may be partly due to the silicon

content of beer, which increases bone mineralisation. Indeed, drinking half a pint of beer a day provides about 6mg of silicon, which is approximately 20% of the daily dietary intake.This can be compared to 0.9mg of silicon in a glass of wine.

References: Harvard School of Public Health in Boston References: D McLemon (2012) Do lifestyle choices explain the effect of alcohol on bone mineral density in women around the menopause.

A COUPLE OF BEERS A DAY ALONG

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DRINKING WITH A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE MAY HELP MODERATELY AS END THE DREADED MENOPAUSE PART OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE THE UNIVERSALLY FEARED SYMPTOMS and the menopause. In one study, women of the menopause, including the development given two alcoholic drinks per day had MAY BENEFIT of osteoporosis, hot flushes and night sweats, an improved bone density. Study Chief, could be eased with a combination of a Dr Urszula Iwaniec from Oregon State BONE HEALTH, couple of beers a day and a low fat diet, University, commented; ESPECIALLY IN according to exper ts. “Drinking moderately as par t of a healthy POST-MENOPAUSAL Two US studies found a link between lifestyle may benefit bone health, especially WOMEN. moderate alcohol intake, a healthy diet in post-menopausal women.”

”

References: Dr Urszula Iwaniec, Oregon State University

MODERATE DRINKING ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER RISK OF STROKE IN WOMEN TO DATE, LIGHT-TO-MODERATE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION has been consistently associated with lower risk of heart disease, but data for stroke has been less certain, especially among women. However, recently a study spearheaded by Professor R Ellison and Helena Conibear from the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research found that the risk of ischaemic stroke is significantly lower among women who consume light-to-moderate amounts of alcohol than those who did not consume alcohol. When compared to the non-drinkers,

the estimated risk of a stroke was 17-21% lower for women who consumed an average of 15g of alcohol per day. In this study, the point at which women having a stroke exceeded that of non-drinkers was about 38g of alcohol per day, which equates to about three typical drinks.

References: Professor R Curtis Ellison/Helena Conibear 1980-2006 ‘Moderate drinking associated with lower risk of stroke in women’.

BEER IS NOW “ BETTER UNDERSTOOD AND CAN BE AT LEAST AS BENEFICIAL AS WINE WHEN CONSUMED IN MODERATION…