Beer...it does the body good!

I`m sure you`ve heard countless comments on the health benefits of wine.  One of the most common things I hear when I`m out (most often by women) is the following "...so I stick to red wine because it`s the healthies type of alcohol.  You know, because of those antioxidants or whatever."  So, is this true?  Is red wine really the Kashi of alcohol types?  Or do hops and barley hold some promise of goodwill towards our bodies?

Beer lovers, rejoice!  The ADA has taken your side.  In a recent issue of the American Dietetic Association`s journal, several articles supporting and explaining the positive effects of daily consumption of beer were published.  Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD (also, BL...beer lover) states a very good case regarding beer and also beer vs. wine in her article "A Toast to Good Health".  She points out that alcohol (ethanol) is the main ingredient in wine that is linked to cardiac health and that it does so by increasing your HDL (good cholesterol), lowering your LDL (bad cholesterol), and thinning the blood (clot prevention). May I also add that these benefits arise with MODERATE consumption of alcohol...not your NYE champagne binge or margarita night with girls. Therefore, if it`s the alcohol that helps, doesn`t that mean moderate consumption of any form of alcohol would present the same benefits?  I do believe so.  Beer, specifically, is associated with kidney stone prevent and increased bone mineral density. It also trumps wine in its levels of selenium, silicon, potassium, niacin, B12, and phosphorus. Hops provide phytochemicals. Malt provides the B-vitamins.  Sugar is what makes the alcohol (Alcohol is a simple carbohydrate!). The darker the beer, the more fiber...yes, fiber. 

So, in honor of my favorite happy hour beverage, the recipe today is an easy one! 

Cinnamon Raisin Beer Bread

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

2 tablespoons flax seed mill

2 tablespoons cinnamon

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons honey

1 12-ounce can of light beer (such as Michelob Ultra)

1 cup raisins

1. Set oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x5x3-inch bread loaf pan and sprinkle with a little bit of flour.

2. Mix together all the dry ingredients and honey. Pour in the beer slowly and mix until the batter is smooth. Fold in raisins.

3. Pour the batter into the pan, sprinkle the top with more cinnamon and bake for about 55-60 minutes.