GUINNESS REALLY IS GOOD FOR YOU!

Brennan, like many cardiologists, recommends a drink a day for his cardiac patients. Red wine, in particular, has been shown to help prevent heart attacks. Now maybe it’s beer’s turn. A University of Wisconsin study last fall found that moderate consumption of Guinness worked like aspirin to prevent clots that increase the risk of heart attacks. In the study, Guinness proved twice as effective as Heineken at preventing blood clots. Guinness is loaded with flavonoids, antioxidants that give dark color to certain fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants are better than vitamins C and E, the study found, at keeping bad LDL (bad) cholesterol from clogging arteries. Blocked arteries also contribute to erectile dysfunction, as does overindulgence in alcohol.

Guinness has a higher concentration than lighter beers of vitamin B, which lowers levels of homocysteine, linked to clogged arteries. And researchers have found that antioxidants from the moderate use of stout might reduce the incidence of cataracts by as much as 50 percent.

It’s milk’s line, but beer gives you strong bones, too.

That’s actually a Belhaven Scottish Ale I’m drinking in the picture, but I suspect it’s medicinal too, and you can’t drink the same
medicine all the time. And, as you can see from the other picture, my brother is taking no chances with his health, either.

Well, if Lileks can write about his Easter travels, I don’t see why I can’t post photos of mine. That’s Nicholson’s in Cincinnati, where my brother and I enjoyed a couple of cool ones. Nice place. Though I’m not a serious Scotch drinker, they gave us a sample of Aberlour A’bunadh, which was very nice if rather strong. Is it good for your heart, too? Why take chances. . . .?