IBADAN – In the last two years, a renowned nutrition expert, Prof Tola Atinmo, has been collaborating with the Nigerian Breweries Plc. to demystify Beer.
Atinmo of the University of Ibadan became a Professor in 1975 and had served as chairman of the Federation of African Nutrition Societies.
The Prof was at the maiden symposium on Beer & Health held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos in 2014 and has since been part of series of campaigns being championed by the Nigerian Breweries Plc. to highlight the health benefits of Beer.
Again, on April 28, 2016, he was at the Ibadan Brewery to speak with Online Publishers and Bloggers at a four-day forum tagged Bloggers Beer Academy, BBA.
Prof Atinmo asked, “What is in beer that is not in other commonly consumed foods? Absolutely nothing!
“Beer has nourished and comforted Homosapiens for millenniums in safe manner and has been part of the daily food intake.
“Many people are not aware that drinking beer actually benefits their health through some of the components present in beer”.
The nutrition expert spoke further, “Beer is one of the best sources of silicon in diet.
“New researches suggest silicon is important for the formation of strong bone mineral density.
“Beer contains folic acid which offers some protection against coronary heart-diseases through homocysteine.”
Other health advantages of Beer as highlighted by Atinmo are:
Silicon for strong bone mineral density
Folic acid for heart health
Antioxidants for protection against many forms of cancer
Health hydration – 92% of beer is water (can count as part of the recommended 8 glasses of water per day but should not be a substitute for water)
Stress relief
Sexual health
Lactation
Old age cognitive health
Helps kidney stones, dementia, osteoporosis etc.
Prof Atinmo however, stressed the need to drink moderately if maximum benefits are to be derived from Beer.
According to him, “Moderation is applicable to all situations in life, but more so to alcohol consumption.
“The moderate drinker should not exceed two bottles a day.”
