Health Benefits Of Beer

Ok, maybe these aren't 100% confirmed health benefits but according to science, beer really does have some potential health benefits. Hey, potential health benefits are better than no health benefits, so I am all for these new excuses to throw back a few cold ones.

According to Thrillist, beer can help with everything from high cholesterol to better sleep. Here's a break down of the four potential health benefits of your favorite brew:

1. It fights weight gain and high cholesterol - According to a study out of Oregon State, xanthohumol ("a natural flavor found in hops and beer") cuts down cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, you have to drink a lot of beer, like 3,500 pints a day, to reap those benefits. I did say these are "potential" benefits of beer, right?
2. Beer has post-heart attack benefits - Researchers in Harvard found that men you drank a bottle/can of beer a day were 42% less likely to die from heart disease. And,no, if you drink more beer you are not going to have a super-human heart. Everything in moderation, guys.
3. It could prevent Alzheimer's - You may not have known this (I know I didn't), but aluminum is thought to be a cause of Alzheimer's. Another fun fact, beer is thought to limit the ability of aluminum to damage your brain. Basically, drinking beer can help combat Alzheimer's. Cheers!
4. Beer may have a positive impact on your sleep cycle - Ok, I'm not gonna lie, this one is a little bit of a stretch because the beer we're talking about is non-alcoholic beer, so I'm not even sure it counts. But a study did find that people who drank O'Doul's before bed fell asleep faster and tossed and turned less.
5. It's good for hydration, especially after a workout - If you've ever seen someone down a beer after a long race it's not because they are party animals, there really is research that shows that it hydrates better than water and is a great way to replenish lost carbs.
6. It reduces the risk of kidney stones - This is reason enough for me to down a 6-pack, because kidney stones are no fun. A study by the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that people who "drank beer once a day had a 41% lowered risk of developing kidney stones".

For even more reasons to drink beer check out Thrillists full list of All The Ways Drinking Beer Is Good For You.