Beer Better Than Soda?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2010
Beer Better Than Soda?
25
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 2:23pm

One of the reasons I pay zero attention to medical studies is because I work in academic medicine and most "studies" aren't what you think. It's mostly a lot of data collection and statistical manipulation. The studies aren't always comprehended in the same vein in which they were written.

Take the case below, for example.  The headline reads "Beer is Good, Soda is Bad"  If you're an avid beer drinker your first thought is "alriiiiiight!!!".   If you're into soda you're probably scared to death to have your daily cola now.


Granted, there's a lot of sugar in soda. There's also a lot of sugar in Kool-aid, sports drinks, ice cream, jello, popsicles, chocolate cake, donuts, cookies and just about anything else we consider sweets or goodies.


And while there may not be as much sugar in beer, there can be (depending on the brand) up to nearly 300 calories per serving, as much as 8% alcohol, as much as 18 grams of carbohydrates (a sugar in itself), not to mention as much as 10% caffeine in some brands. Like heavy soda drinkers, a good many regular beer drinkers are overweight due to the consumption of unnecessary calories.


Let us not overlook the fact that beer is an alcoholic beverage and therefore falls under the same risks for alcoholism as other alcoholic drinks. Alcoholism is the largest and most problematic substance abuse in the world. Excessive beer drinking leads to just as many social, legal, employment and health problems as any other alcoholic beverage - if not more since it is cheaper and more readily available.


There is truly nothing good about soda OR beer. Then again, there's nothing truly bad about either one in moderation.  To say one is better than the other is misinformation either way you turn it.


 


Medical Studies Suggest Beer is Good and Soda is Bad








(NBC NEWS) -- Men, if you threw back a few beers on Super Bowl Sunday well, there's some good news for you: it appears beer could help make your bones stronger.


New research suggests that beer is a significant source of dietary silicon -- which increases bone mineral density.


A University of California-Davis study examined brewing styles and raw materials of beer to see where the silicon comes from and how much makes it into the final product.


The highest levels of silicon were found in hops and in the husk of the barley -- so beers with greater amounts of barley and hops had the biggest bone benefit.


Some studies have suggested moderate beer consumption could also help fight osteoporosis.


There is bad news though for regular soda drinkers. New research suggests regular consumption of soft drinks could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.


A study from the University of Minnesota followed over 60,000 Singapore residents for 14 years. Those who consumed two or more soft drinks a week were 87 percent more likely to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer than those who never drank sodas.


They believe high levels of sugar in soft drinks increase insulin levels in the body -- which contributes to pancreatic cancer cell growth.


Other scientists say larger studies need to be conducted before the link between soft drinks and pancreatic cancer can be made.


(NBC News)

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 3:24pm

Who sponsored these studies Bud & Coors?


I must be missing something I don't drink either.

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2007
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 3:53pm
Community Leader
Registered: 04-05-2002
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 4:03pm
It's not the beer for me but it's that after a beer, everything that's served with it becomes irresistible, buffalo wings, cheese nachos, cheese nips, fried cheese, potato skins w/ bacon, etc., etc. One soda=one soda. One beer= one beer, a few buffalo wings, a few bites of ice cream, some cheese nachos, chili,...:-p I stick with water.










iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2007
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 4:15pm

My lord, if you were a big beer drinker, they'd have to use a crane to get you into your car!!!


Weird thing with me, I have never felt the urge to snack while drinking......oh, I enjoy a pizza with beer, but I don't need the nachos, popcorn, chips or wings with it. Too much "stuff" IMO.


Your choice of water is probably a healthier beverage than mine. Different strokes for different folks. That being said, I find I'm able to dance much better while having a few beers vs a few bottles of water.....and actually, I think I sing better with beer over water too....hmmmm.....I guess beer does have its advantages...lol.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 4:26pm
Once in awhile I

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 4:28pm
I've heard women look more attractive too after a few beers.

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2007
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 4:35pm
The transformation is quite startling.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 5:22pm

I've heard women look more attractive too after a few beers.


True...and after a couple of Margaritas, men look more attractive as well!


Community Leader
Registered: 04-05-2002
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 6:42pm
If I were a big beer drinker, I'd be out on the floor before I could eat all that junk! I'm a total lightweight. So, I guess the key for me is to drink a lot of beer, or none at all.:-)










Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 02-10-2010 - 9:41pm

I don't understand your objection to the article.

Pages