The Case for Non-Alcoholic Beer

I was perusing the interwebs as I so often do, and I came across another article about the benefits of non-alcoholic beer.  In this case, the results of a study regarding health-effects of the beverage on long-distance runners.

Here’s what the German nerd Doctor leading the study is quoted as saying…“Our findings show that consuming a modest amount of non-alcoholic beer for three weeks before and two weeks after a marathon indeed reduces post-race inflammation and the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections” He goes on to say… “The naturally occurring polypenolic compounds of non-alcoholic beer are responsible for fighting these common ailments in distance runners.”

BTW, “a modest amount” turns out to be 1 to 1.5 liters of non-alcoholic wheat beer per day.  (I wonder if these people gained any weight?)

Now I’m not a scientist, but when I read the words “polypenolic compounds of non-alcoholic beer”, I’m instantly reminded of other beneficial multi-syllabic terms regarding beer.  Or in this case (again) non-alcoholic beer.  In regard to beer and breastfeeding, we learn that “a polysaccharide in the barley used to make beer seems to stimulate prolactin, which helps moms make more milk.”

Interesting.  So it seems there is ‘stuff’ in non-alcoholic beer that makes long-distance runners less inflamed, and helps Moms make more milk for baby.  These interesting health benefits can be had it seems, from good ol’ fashioned beer complete with alcohol.

But I suppose there is a good case to be made where if you’re an athlete, or a lactating Mother, you might want these benefits without the side-effects that alcohol brings.  Maybe the makers of Hoegaarten 0.0 can market their stuff to runners and Moms!

What’s your take?  If you’re a beer drinker, do you find yourself less inflamed?