A Spirited Toast to All Things Alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg
We can all use some good news these days, so here goes. There’s yet another good reason to say cheers to beer! A study recently came across my desk that there is new research indicating that drinking beer may be good for your health.
Researchers from Pennsylvania State University presented their findings in a poster presentation at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions in New Orleans in November. They followed more than 80,000 participants for six years and found that while HDL, or the so-called good cholesterol, declined over time, those who drank beer had a slower decrease in HDL, therefore a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.
(This particular study was conducted in China, but previous studies suggest that other populations would experience a similar effect.)
Some other findings:
- Moderate drinkers (defined as 1-2 servings/day for men; 0.5-1.0 servings/day for women) had the slowest decline in good cholesterol.
- Beer consumption had a positive effect on HDL levels even among heavy drinkers, but for hard liquor only light to moderate drinking was beneficial. (defined as 1 serving/day for men; sadly 0-0.4 servings/day for women).
- Note: there were not enough wine drinkers represented in the study to test the effects on HDL.
- These effects were still present when the analysis was restricted to people without diabetes, hypertension, obesity, fatty liver and elevated inflammation status.
In summary, now’s the time to resolve to drink more beer.
Want to get a tasty head start on your resolution to imbibe (for your health, of course!)? Why not plant yourself at The Garden at the Santa Barbara Public Market on Jan. 28 for a special beer pairing dinner with Allagash Brewing Company. It starts at 6 p.m. and reservations are required.
Here’s the four-course pairing menu designed to highlight some of the best beers that Allagash has to offer:
FIRST COURSE
AHI CRUDO SERVED WITH WATERMELON RADISH
PAIRED WITH ALLAGASH WHITE
SECOND COURSE
CHICKEN MOLE ON A CRISPY POLENTA CAKE
PAIRED WITH ALLAGASH HIBERNAL FLUXUS
THIRD COURSE
PORK TENDERLOIN REMOULADE STUFFED WITH BLACK CHERRY
PAIRED WTH ALLAGASH SIXTEEN COUNTIES
FOURTH COURSE
APPLE TART TATIN , APRICOT GLAZE WHIPPED CREAM
PAIRED WTH ALLAGASH JAMES BEAN
Tickets to this event are $49, which includes gratuity & tax. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling The Garden at 805/ 770-7700.
Sounds pretty good, right! Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.
When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”