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Cheers! An expert claims having a regular tipple throughout January would have been more likely to improve health than giving up
Many of us will have woken up feeling especially smug this morning – not to mention slightly richer – after successfully negotiating the whole of January without a drink.
After the excesses of the festive period, what better way to cleanse the system than a month without booze?
However, the increasingly popular practice of detoxing the body during ‘Dry January’ may do more harm than good, according to one expert.
He claims that having a regular tipple throughout the post-New Year period would have been more likely to improve health than giving up alcohol completely.
Professor Charles Bamforth, of the University of California, Davis, said: ‘Many people don’t realise that drinking in moderation has significant health benefits and that moderate drinkers have a longer life expectancy than non–drinkers.
‘Regular moderate intake of alcohol is good for the heart and blood circulation.’
The author of Beer, Health and Nutrition said drinking to excess can cause serious problems, but added: ‘The key is a little and often.
'You are seriously mistaken if you think that having a month without drinking will protect you from the effects of excessive drinking for the rest of the year.
‘The best advice is to drink moderately throughout the year.’
Prof Bamforth said beer, and in particular real ale, contains many nutrients that are important for a healthy body.
He said: ‘The great thing about beer is that it is low in alcohol and brewed from natural raw materials, so it’s a good source of important nutrients such as antioxidants, B vitamins and dietary silicon that promotes strong bones. Indeed, beer used to be known as liquid bread.’
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'Liquid bread': Professor Charles Bamforth, of the University of California, Davis, said that beer, and in particular real ale, contains many nutrients that are important for a healthy body
The Campaign for Real Ale welcomed his comments, suggesting older people could see particular benefits.
Chairman Colin Valentine said: ‘The health benefits of moderate drinking may explain why you meet so many people enjoying a healthy retirement who still like going for a pint of real ale in their local.
‘The evidence also shows that sociability has significant benefits to health and well-being. You are far better off sharing a beer with friends in a pub than sitting at home drinking by yourself.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2549885/Dry-January-did-actually-HARM-health-Expert-claims-having-regular-tipple-better-abstinence.html#ixzz2sCwj56ha
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