Dark and Healthy Beers

Currently North Star is brewing a fresh batch of porter. It is mid afternoon on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 and the smell of mashed malts permeates the atmosphere at the North Star Craft Brewery, and no doubt throughout the Shasta Gateway Industrial Park. What a wonderful smell the conversion of complex carbs to simple sugars...

Well, since we are brewing porter (a dark ale style beer originating in Britian) we thought we might pass on some of the health benefits of dark beers:

A study from the University of Wisconsin discovered that dark beers have higher level of antioxidant flavinoids - as high as the levels found in red wine. The study also found that dark beers lower LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and prevented blood clots twice as effectively as lighter beers.

In a study conducted with a number of researchers at Guy's Hospital in England tests proved that ferulic acid, a powerful, naturally occurring antioxidant, was better absorbed in the body when it was suspended in beer that it was in other consumables. Cereal grains have high levels of fuerlic acid and are found in beer.

At Tufts University, researchers are working on proving how beer could help prevent osteoporosis. Beer (both light and dark) contains high levels of silicon, which enhances the deposit of calcium and other minerals into bone tissue.

The above facts are taking from the "Northwest Brewing News" magazine April/May 2008.

Here is to "Healthy drinking - in moderation of course"

Cheers,

Shawn A. Sease
Head Brewer
North Star Craft Brewery
http://www.northstarbrew.com