Dark beer is better for the heart

Like chocolate and wine, the darker the beer, the better it may be for your health, according to a new study.

In a comparison of Guinness stout, a dark beer and Heineken, a light beer, the darker brew had substantially more anti-clotting activity, according to a University of Wisconsin-Madison scientist. He found:
 

• Guinness proved to be about twice as effective at preventing the blood platelets from clumping and forming the kind of clot that can cause a heart attack – a result of the flavonoids in the beer.
   
• Flavonoids also work to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, which plays a role in causing atherosclerosis – known as hardening of the arteries.
   
• In addition, flavonoids help arteries dilate, which improves blood flow and blood pressure.
  
  To get the optimal anti-clotting effect, a person would have to reach a blood alcohol level of 0.06 percent. For the typical person, that could be accomplished with two 12-ounce bottles.
  
  However, doctors warn that even though dark beer may have heart-health properties, it also has higher calories.
  
  Source: John Fauber, Dark for the Heart, Indianapolis Star, January 7, 2004.
  
  For text http://www.indystar.com/articles/9/109081-3959-052.html
  
  For more on Health Issues http://www.ncpa.org/iss/hea/
  
  FMF Policy Bulletin\27 January 2004