If you enjoy a cold beer every now and then like I do, I've got some good news! A new study in Arthritis & Rheumatology finds moderate beer drinking comes with a special health benefit for women!
Researchers analyzed more than 238,000 women and divided them into three categories based on their alcohol consumption. They found that women who reported had about one drink per day had a 22 percent decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis compared to women who don't drink. As if you needed any more reason to hit that happy hour!
Read more ¿Qué más?: 4 "Healthy" snacks that could kill you
But that's not all they discovered. Women who drank beer in particular two to four times a week had a 31 percent decreased risk compared with those who never drank beer. I always wished more of my girl friends would learn to like beer. Now, it looks they actually have a good reason to!
The best part? This is far from the first time scientists have found that drinking–in moderation, of course–can be beneficial. So what are you waiting for? Pour yourself a glass or crack open a bottle and check out seven other ways alcohol can actually be good for you below:
Image via Thinkstock
Helps Digestion
Fernet-Branca is an Italian bitter that reportedly contains 27 different herbs and spices taken from four continents. When it was first produced in 1845, it was advertised as a cure for menstrual cramps, but some also swear by its powers as a digestive aid!
Prevents heart disease
A review published in the British Medical Journal found a 14 to 25 percent drop in heart disease in people that drank alcohol with moderation–and that's not necessarily limited to just red wine, as other studies previously claimed. The research found that the benefits of alcohol apply no matter what kind of drink you have, whether its pinot noir or tequila!
Lower cholesterol
Having a glass of red wine a day apparently can also help the keep the doctor away! Red wine contains a nutrient that protects against artery-damaging bad cholesterol. Plus, consumed in moderation, it could also help protect against cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Relationships
A new study has found that couples who drink together stay together! The research found that spouses who drank the same amount of alcohol were less likely to get divorced than couples that feature one person who really likes liquor and another who only drinks occasionally.
Increases libido
Depending on your weight, gender and other factors, one or two drinks can help some people loosen up and overcome their inhibitions. Of course, one drink too many and that can actually hurt your body's ability to respond so the trick is to hit that sweet spot.
Slows aging
If you're a wine lover, I've got some good news! Scientists working for pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline have been testing the synthetic versions of resveratrol–a chemical found in red wine–and found that it could actually slow the process of aging!
