A toast to the goodness of barley and its positive effects on female health
The popular fermentation drink, beyond being a classic in meetings and celebrations, hides in their natural ingredients a series of benefits that can accompany women throughout their life cycle. From pregnancy to old age, beer can become an ally, provided it is consumed in moderation and the appropriate varieties.
Of family planning to breastfeeding
For those who are in search of being mothers, the nutrients present in the golden fluid have important advantages. In particular, folic acid, vital for the development of the nervous system and cell formation, plays a crucial role in the prevention of defects in the neural tube and other malformations during pregnancy.
It is important to note that only without alcohol contribute these benefits during pregnancy. Alcohol without alcohol, for example, contains antioxidants that reinforce the cardiovascular system and help mitigate oxidative damage of pregnancy.
In addition, some investigations suggest that the sugars of barley – one of its essential components – favor the production of prolactin, the hormone that stimulates breastfeeding. Recent studies also associate moderate consumption of beer without alcohol with greater protection against oxidative stress in mother and breast milk, indirectly benefiting the baby.
In the era of menopause: antioxidants and bone protection
The hormonal change that Menopause and climacteric bring challenges related to bone and cardiovascular health. Estrogen reduction, for example, decreases calcium absorption and increases the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
Here, beer can offer unexpected help: its polyphenols, natural phytogens and vitamins contribute to restore some balance. Recent studies indicate that a controlled consumption of beer can even delay the arrival of menopause a few years and improve the ‘good’ cholesterol levels (HDL).
The impact on the immune system has also been subject to research: in adult women, moderate consumption seems to enhance the production of leukocytes and lymphocytes, strengthening the immune response in general.
Towards a strong and resistant bone structure
Fractures and loss of bone mass, characteristic of osteoporosis, can find in certain beer compounds an aid in their prevention. Flavonoids, present in hops and barley, have estrogenic effects that inhibit bone tissue loss and favor calcitonin secretion, a key hormone in bone protection.
The silicon, another element present in beer, drives the calcification and regeneration of collagen, while minerals such as magnesium, zinc and copper ensure efficient absorption of calcium, promoting strong and less prone bones to fractures.
An ally against Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders
Science has pointed out that moderate beer intake can play a role in reducing risk factors related to Alzheimer’s. Specifically, its silicon content helps fight aluminum, a neurotoxic mineral that has been linked to the appearance of dementia and other brain disorders.
In addition, some compounds present in hops have the ability to inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, structures that are closely related to the development of this disease and Parkinson’s disease.
