dolores parker's Channel

October 2006 (Medialink) - Who knew that beer may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain other chronic diseases related to aging? According to a professor of medicine and public health at the Boston University School of Medicine, it may. Dr. Curtis Ellison spoke at a conference on a panel called, "Beer: To Your Health!," held by the Center for Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy at the University of Maryland-College Park. This conference reviewed the science on health benefits of moderate beer and alcohol consumption and the challenges of communicating a balanced message to the public.Brewed from barley, malt and other grains, some studies suggest that beer may have heart-healthy benefits and that older adults who consume moderate amounts of alcohol may have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, osteoporosis - and maybe even obesity.The key is moderation. U.S. dietary guidelines define "moderation" as one drink per day for women, and two for men. Experts say that for those who choose to drink, alcohol should be consumed with food - and that the total number of alcoholic drinks should not be averaged out for the week. That means people should not save their 'drink a day' all week and then have seven drinks on Saturday night.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Produced for the National Beer Wholesalers Association Education Foundation