health benefits of beer

For years, wine drinkers have indulged without guilt, reveling in the news that red wine can help protect against heart disease. Recent research shows that beer can also be good for what ails you, from reducing risk for broken bones to helping warding off diabetes and mental decline. It can even increase longevity, a large study suggests.

However, the key to tapping into beer’s benefits is moderation, meaning just one 12-ounce beer per day for women and two for men. Heavy drinking ups the threat of liver damage, some cancers, and heart problems. Bingeing on brewskis can also make you fat, since a 12-ounce regular beer has about 150 calories, while light beer has about 100.

Read about common diet myths that are dangerous to your health

Here are 10 surprising—and healthy—reasons to cheer about your next beer.

1. Stronger Bones

Beer contains high levels of silicon, which is linked to bone health. In a 2009 study at Tufts University and other centers, older men and women who swigged one or two drinks daily had higher bone density, with the greatest benefits found in those who favored beer or wine. However, downing more than two drinks was linked to increased risk for fractures.

For the best bone-building benefits, reach for pale ale, since a 2010 study of 100 types of beer from around the word identified these brews as richest in silicon, while light lagers and non-alcoholic beers contained the least.


2. A Stronger Heart

A 2011 analysis of 16 earlier studies involving more than 200,000 people, conducted by researchers at Italy’s Fondazion di Ricerca e Cura, found a 31 percent reduced risk of heart disease in those who quaffed about a pint of beer daily, while risk surged in those who guzzled higher amounts of alcohol, whether beer, wine, or spirits.

More than 100 studies also show that moderate drinking trims risk of heart attacks and dying from cardiovascular disease by 25 to 40 percent, Harvard reports. A beer or two a day can help raise levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol that helps keep arteries from getting clogged.8. Reduced Risk for Diabetes

Drink up: A 2011 Harvard study of about 38,000 middle-aged men found that when those who only drank occasionally raised their alcohol intake to one to two beers or other drinks daily, their risk of developing type 2 diabetes dropped by 25 percent. The researchers found no benefit to quaffing more than two drinks. The researchers found that alcohol increases insulin sensitivity, thus helping protect against diabetes.

3. Healthier Kidneys

A study in Finland singled out beer among other alcoholic drinks, finding that each bottle of beer men drank daily lowered their risk of developing kidney stones by 40 percent. One theory is that beer’s high water content helped keep kidneys working, since dehydration increases kidney stone risk.

It’s also possible that the hops in beer help curb leeching of calcium from bones; that “lost” calcium also could end up in the kidneys as stones.


4. Boosting Brain Health

A beer a day may help keep Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia at bay, researchers say.

A 2005 study tracking the health of 11,000 older women showed that moderate drinkers (those who consumed about one drink a day) lowered their risk of mental decline by as much as 20 percent, compared to non-drinkers. In addition, older women who downed a drink a day scored as about 18 months “younger,” on average, on tests of mental skills than the non-drinkers.


5. Reduced Cancer Risk

A Portuguese study found that marinating steak in beer eliminates almost 70 percent of the carcinogens, called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) produced when the meat is pan-fried. Researchers theorize that beer’s sugars help block HCAs from forming.

Scientists also have found that beer and wine contain about the same levels of antioxidants, but the antioxidants are different because the flavonoids found in hops and grapes are different.


6. Boosting Vitamin Levels

A Dutch study, performed at the TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute, found that beer-drinking participants had 30 percent higher levels of vitamin B6 levels in their blood than their non-drinking counterparts, and twice as much as wine drinkers. Beer also contains vitamin B12 and folic acid.


7. Guarding Against Stroke

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that moderate amounts of alcohol, including beer, help prevent blood clots that block blood flow to the heart, neck and brain—the clots that cause ischemic stroke, the most common type.

8. Reduced Risk for Diabetes

Drink up: A 2011 Harvard study of about 38,000 middle-aged men found that when those who only drank occasionally raised their alcohol intake to one to two beers or other drinks daily, their risk of developing type 2 diabetes dropped by 25 percent. The researchers found no benefit to quaffing more than two drinks. The researchers found that alcohol increases insulin sensitivity, thus helping protect against diabetes.


9. Lower Blood Pressure

Wine is fine for your heart, but beer may be even better: A Harvard study of 70,000 women ages 25 to 40 found that moderate beer drinkers were less likely to develop high blood pressure—a major risk factor for heart attack—than women who sipped wine or spirits.


10. Longer Life

In a 2005 review of 50 studies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that moderate drinkers live longer. The USDA also estimates that moderate drinking prevents about 26,000 deaths a year, due to lower rates of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

These benefits appear to apply in other countries as well, with an earlier study reporting that, “if European beer drinkers stopped imbibing, there would be a decrease in life expectancy of two years—and much unhappiness.”

some 10 steps to lose weight

1. Be realistic. One pound of fat equals 3,500 calories. To lose a pound, you need to consume 3,500 fewer calories. A realistic weight-loss goal, one pound a week, means cutting back just 500 calories per day. You may want to lose more than a pound a week, but if you cut your calorie consumption too drastically, your metabolism slows down, and your body starts storing calories instead of burning them.

2. Don't even call it a diet. Some people don't mind the word diet. To others, it conjures up visions of torture and misery. If you're in the second group, don't say you're "going on a diet" - say you're "starting a new eating plan" instead.
Think of a diet that is not as deprivation but as cleansing your body from the inside out, freeing yourself of fat.

3. Make your dieting/eating plan healthy. The best weight-loss plan, according to experts at the American Dietetic Association, should:
provide all the nutrients you need;
fit your personal tastes and eating habits;
keep you from feeling hungry;
keep you from feeling fatigued;
allow you to eat away from home; and
be something you can follow for the rest of your life.
This last point is the most important. Your goal is to establish new eating patterns, not simply to lose weight and then revert to the same old patterns that put on the weight in the first place.

4. Forget fad diets. They may help drop pounds quickly, but they exact a heavy price. Low-carb diets (lots of meat, skip the rice) can cause severe fatigue and headaches. Worse yet, most of the weight you lose will be water weight, which is quickly regained once you go off the diet.
Before you go on a fad diet, ask yourself:
Can you follow it for more than a few weeks?
Is it nutricious?
Does it fit into your lifestyle?
Is it reasonable?
Can you shop in your usual store or does it require foods that are expensive or difficult to obtain?
5. Show a little restraint. You don't have to go on a full-fledged diet to change your eating habits. Some restraint - eating a little less of this, skipping a little of that - during your regular meals can help you cut way back on calories.

6. Conduct research on yourself. Behavioral scientists say the mere act of recording a behavior often leads to a change in that behavior.
Try it. For two weeks, record what you eat, the amount you eat and the time you eat. Be honest. Make your notes every time you eat. You may "forget" if you wait until the end of the day. Don't try to alter your eating habits - after you are aware of what you really eat you can start to make changes.

7. Eat a well-balanced diet. Knowing the food groups help you plan a well-balanced weight-loss diet.

8. Cut back on fat.If you make just one change in orer to lose weight, this is it.
An ounce of fat has twice as many calories as an ounce of protein or carbohydrate, and dietary fat actually turns into body fat more quickly. Fat to your lips, in other words, is almost instant fat to your hips.
Which brings up another interesting point: Fat actually contributes to food cravings.

9. Take your salad naked. How much fat is in a tablespoon of salad dressing? Try 7 or 8 grams for most types. Even sour cream has half the fat of sald dressing. And let's be honest: When was the last time you used a single tablespoon of dressing on your salad?
Lose fat instantly by substituting low-calorie dressing for the regular stuff. Better yet, pass on the oil and sprinkle your salad with wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice and a little pepper and salt. Or skip the dressing altogether and use saucy foods as a culinary counterpoint. Spaghetti, chili and pizza are great with naked salad greens. Undressed salad takes a little getting used to, but your taste buds will soon thank you.

10. Use whipped butter or margarine. As much as you're trying to cut down on fat, some things just don't taste right without a little butter or margarine. Use the whipped varieties sold in little tubs. Because their fat molecules are mixed with a lot of air, they contain about half the calories and fat grams of sticks.

health important tips

Answer the phone by LEFT ear

Do not drink coffee TWICE a day

Do not take pills with COOL water

Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm

Reduce the amount of TEA you consume

Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume

Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night

Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS 

Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time

Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning

Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping

When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times

10 things you must know in your body

The human body is a great, sweaty, fluid-filled machine, moving and mixing chemicals with precision and coordination, making everything from memories to mucus. Here we explore some of the complex, beautiful or just plain gross mysteries of how you function.



10. Your Stomach Secretes Corrosive Acid



There's one dangerous liquid no airport security can confiscate from you: It's in your gut. Your stomach cells secrete hydrochloric acid, a corrosive compound used to treat metals in the industrial world. It can pickle steel, but mucous lining the stomach wall keeps this poisonous liquid safely in the digestive system, breaking down lunch.

9. Body Position Affects Your Memory



Can't remember your anniversary, hubby? Try getting down on one knee. Memories are highly embodied in our senses. A scent or sound may evoke a distant episode from one's childhood. The connections can be obvious (a bicycle bell makes you remember your old paper route) or inscrutable. A recent study helps decipher some of this embodiment. An article in the January 2007 issue of Cognition reports that episodes from your past are remembered faster and better while in a body position similar to the pose struck during the event.

8. Bones Break (Down) to Balance Minerals



In addition to supporting the bag of organs and muscles that is our body, bones help regulate our calcium levels. Bones contain both phosphorus and calcium, the latter of which is needed by muscles and nerves. If the element is in short supply, certain hormones will cause bones to break down--upping calcium levels in the body--until the appropriate extracellular concentration is reached.

7. Much of a Meal is Food For Thought



Though it makes up only 2 percent of our total body weight, the brain demands 20 percent of the body's oxygen and calories. To keep our noggin well-stocked with resources, three major cerebral arteries are constantly pumping in oxygen. A blockage or break in one of them starves brain cells of the energy they require to function, impairing the functions controlled by that region. This is a stroke.

6. Thousands of Eggs Unused by Ovaries



When a woman reaches her late 40s or early 50s, the monthly menstrual cycle that controls her hormone levels and readies ova for insemination ceases. Her ovaries have been producing less and less estrogen, inciting physical and emotional changes across her body. Her underdeveloped egg follicles begin to fail to release ova as regularly as before. The average adolescent girl has 34,000 underdeveloped egg follicles, although only 350 or so mature during her life (at the rate of about one per month). The unused egg follicles then deteriorate. With no potential pregnancy on the horizon, the brain can stop managing the release of ova.


5. Puberty Reshapes Brain Structure, Makes for Missed Curfews



We know that hormone-fueled changes in the body are necessary to encourage growth and ready the body for reproduction. But why is adolescence so emotionally unpleasant? Hormones like testosterone actually influence the development of neurons in the brain, and the changes made to brain structure have many behavioral consequences. Expect emotional awkwardness, apathy and poor decision-making skills as regions in the frontal cortex mature.

4. Cell Hairs Move Mucus



Most cells in our bodies sport hair-like organelles called cilia that help out with a variety of functions, from digestion to hearing. In the nose, cilia help to drain mucus from the naval cavity down to the throat. Cold weather slows down the draining process, causing a mucus backup that can leave you with snotty sleeves. Swollen nasal membranes or condensation can also cause a stuffed schnozzle.

3. Big Brains Cause Cramped Mouths



Evolution isn't perfect. If it were, we might have wings instead of wisdom teeth. Sometimes useless features stick around in a species simply because they're not doing much harm. But wisdom teeth weren't always a cash crop for oral surgeons. Long ago, they served as a useful third set of meat-mashing molars. But as our brains grew our jawbone structure changed, leaving us with expensively overcrowded mouths.

2. The World Laughs with You



Just as watching someone yawn can induce the behavior in yourself, recent evidence suggests that laughter is a social cue for mimicry. Hearing a laugh actually stimulates the brain region associated with facial movements. Mimicry plays an important role in social interaction. Cues like sneezing, laughing, crying and yawning may be ways of creating strong social bonds within a group.

1. Your Skin Has Four Colors



All skin, without coloring, would appear creamy white. Near-surface blood vessels add a blush of red. A yellow pigment also tints the canvas. Lastly, sepia-toned melanin, created in response to ultraviolet rays, appears black in large amounts. These four hues mix in different proportions to create the skin colors of all the peoples of Earth.

5 healthy life long habits to live

Is it really possible for anyone to live happily to 100?

The good news is that your body is designed to be 100 –
You just have to get out of the way. Getting out of the way
means taking an honest look at the habits and life style you
are living with today. Most of us have developed habits that
limit our true health potential. But don’t let these bad habits of
the past discourage you. It is never too late to make new choices.
What you did in the past can be changed, and your body will res-
pond in kind. What matters is what you do from this moment for-
ward. It takes 14 to 21 days of repetitive behaviour to form a new
pattern in your brain. Once the pattern is form, it becomes an auto-
matic behavioural response. As you develop new healthy habits, they
will begin to replace bad habits. These healthy life long habits are
adapted straight from the time-tested traditions practiced by centi-
narians all around the world, and I can say with certainty that they
will transform and rejuvenate you.

EAT five (5) small meals a day.
In the western culture, meals are taken three times a day, but it is much better to eat five smaller
meals. When you eat smaller portions five times a day, you deliver
a steady stream of nutrients, blood sugar, and energy to your body
through out the day. Additionally, eating this way is less taxing on
the digestive and metabolic systems and also reduces your risk of
heart disease.

CLIMB the stairs instead of using elevators.
The health benefits of a daily exercise program cannot be stressed enough. Regular
exercise can help promote physiological well-being , strengthen the
immune system, maintain joint mobility, increase energy and the list
goes on. Look for opportunities all through your day to work in
physical activity. Power-walk, run, or ride your bike instead of dri-
ving . Begin a daily tai chi practice. Join a gym and actually go!
Practice safely and watch your health results pile up.

LAUGH it up!
We know from research that laughter and joy
Boost immune functions, especially the production of the natural
killer cells that help protect the body from illness and cancer.
Laughter also increases the release of endorphins, compound that
Give you a sense of well-being, in your brain. Without a doubt,
Joyful people live longer and healthier lives.

DRINK 8 glasses of water everyday.
Water is essential for all. Healthy body functions. CENTENARIANS from around the globe,
site their native water as the source of their health and longevity-
and the scientists agree with them. What they all have in common
is pure water sources located far from any city, free from chemicals
and toxins. Eg. Vetsin,additives or most ready to eat mixes.

Choose filtered water, the best filtration processes are the ones that
use activated charcoal, which removes impurities but leaves the water
soluble minerals. Also do not store water in plastic containers be-
cause the polychlorinated biphenyls. (PCBs) can leach to the water.

UNWIND with Meditations.. Stress is the root cause of most of the
diseases that shorten our life span. In our modern society, stress
will continue to increase- unless you find techniques to manage it.
Meditation is the best way to release tension and revitalize your being.
It teaches you breathe properly, which is critical for eliminating up
to 70 % of your body’s toxins and wastes. It also quiets your mind,
lowers your stress hormones, and teaches self-discipline which is a
necessary attribute to achieving your health and longevity goals.

Try this beginning meditation:
Sit comfortably on a chair or the floor. Breathe naturally and close
your eyes. Each time a thought appears, put it inside a balloon and
let it fly up into the sky and disappear. Do this until the thoughts
are exhausted. After a bit, your body will feel very light, and mind
will become still. The first few times it may take a while, but it will
get easier, and faster, with practice….

10 ways of preventing colon cancer

heres a healthy way to know about colon cancer......

1. Go to a doctor if you have any colon cancer symptoms.

Usually, colon cancer doesn't have any symptoms. However, in the later stages, symptoms may include thin stools, cramping, unexplained weight loss, and bloody stools.

2. If you're 50 or older, schedule a colon cancer screening.

Then actually go to the appointment. More than 90 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are 50 or older and the average age of diagnosis is 64. Research indicates that by age 50, one in four people has polyps (colon cancer precursors). Getting screened is an excellent colon cancer prevention method.

3. Eat a balanced diet.

Diets high in fat and cholesterol (especially from animal sources) have been linked to increased colon cancer risk. High-fiber diets, however, have shown a protective effect

4. Maintain a healthy weight.

All other things equal, obese men seem to be more at risk for colon cancer than obese women. Also, certain body types seem to influence risk more than others. Studies indicate that extra fat in the waist (an apple shape) increases colon cancer risk more than extra fat in the thighs or hips (a pear shape).

5. Maintain an active lifestyle.

Research indicates that exercising can reduce colon cancer risk by as much as 40 percent. Exercise also tends to reduce the incidence of other risk factors for colon cancer, like obesity and diabetes.

6. Consider genetic counseling.

People who carry genetic mutations linked to hereditary colon cancer are the most likely to develop the disease. If someone in your family has FAP or HNPCC, or if you're of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, you should seriously consider adding genetic counseling to your colon cancer prevention plan.

7. Learn your family medical history.

Did you know your family medical history can impact your chances of developing colon cancer? When discussing colon cancer prevention with your doctor, remember to mention if family members have had polyps or colon cancer. Other cancers (such as stomach, liver, and bone) may also be relevant.

8. Talk to a doctor about your personal medical history.

As you may have guessed, discussing your own medical history is extremely important when it comes to colon cancer prevention. Sometimes we feel like doctors aren't interested in what we have to say, so we try to answer their questions as quickly and succinctly as possible. But it's alright - and advisable - to talk about your health history. Of particular concern are polyps, certain cancers, and chronic inflammation of the bowel - all of which can increase the risk of developing colon cancer.

9. Don't smoke.

Yes, it's a risk factor for colon cancer too. Smoking increases your risk for two main reasons. First, inhaled or swallowed tobacco smoke transports carcinogens to the colon. Second, tobacco use appears to increase polyp size

10. Reduce radiation exposure.

Is radiation really relevant to colon cancer prevention? The short answer is yes. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, colon cancer has been caused by doses of about 1,000 millisieverts. So, what the heck is a millisievert and how do you keep from racking up 1,000 of them?

a healthy relationship.. good for the health

Does your relationship stress you out or keep you feeling great? The type of relationship you are in can affect your health. Make sure your relationship is a healthy one. While there may be no concrete proof that a loving relationship is beneficial to one's health, it certainly seems to have a positive effect on one's overall well-being. It seems that those who are involved in a long-term relationship where each person is treated lovingly tend to be happier, more relaxed, have more confidence and are generally healthier. A good bit of the reason for this may be less stress in the home. It is well known that stress can add to a host of maladies, both emotional and physical. If a person is involved in a relationship that is negative, there is more likelihood that they will suffer from stress related ailments. The more relaxed and loving a relationship is, the better the chances are that a person will not suffer as many stress induced health problems.

Being in love and being able to share and receive affection promotes happiness, relaxation and peacefulness. This in turn can lower stress levels resulting in lower blood pressure and a better balance between the mind, body, spirit system of the complete being. People in a happy, healthy relationship tend to laugh more and laughing has been said to be beneficial to health. People who are in abusive relationships or who live in a home environment where negativity is prevalent seem to be more susceptible to illnesses. When suffering from stress the body's immune system may be compromised therefore making the individual more prone to flu and colds along with a myriad of other illnesses. Those who are involved in a stressful relationship may find themselves emotionally and physically exhausted. When energy is depleted the body begins to wear down. Most people involved in these types of relationships do not eat right nor do they get proper rest and sleep which are both essential for good health.

A healthy relationship can improve one's well-being in a variety of ways. This is not to say that a healthy relationship is one without disagreements or problems but in a healthy relationship, the partners are able to talk openly and honestly with each other. They are able to work through their disagreement by having good lines of communication and are able to transcend problems that would otherwise escalate in a relationship that is not as healthy as it should be. Healthy relationships are not perfect; no relationship ever is. But when a person does not feel comfortable enough to discuss his or her feelings with a partner, those emotions will build inside, causing stress that may later lead to serious health conditions.

Even people who do suffer from some type of illness have been known to make faster recoveries when they have a caring, nurturing mate to help them through their sickness. Whether we believe it or not, love does have a curative effect. The mind can influence the body and the healing process and when a person knows that there is a stable, loving individual in their life that they can depend upon, the mind is relaxed and comforted and is able to put more effort into healing the body. If a person who is in an abusive relationship becomes ill, they may not care whether they get better or not. Deep within the psyche they may believe that they have no reason to recover or they may feel that their mate will treat them better as long as they are sick. In this sense, the subconscious may actually work to inhibit the healing process. But if a person has a healthy, loving relationship to look forward to, the mind may work to speed up the healing process so that the individual can return to their state of health because this individual wants to be able to continue enjoying the love that he or she receives. Love may not heal all as the old cliche' says but it certainly can't hurt.