It’s the weekend. The time to relax…put your feet up…release your pent up tension and sit down in your comfortable easy chair with a big, ice cold, HEALTHY bottle of …BEER????
I read an article the other day about the health benefits of beer.
Yes, you’re reading that right; I couldn’t believe my eyes either – Health Benefits!
Now I’m sure all those weekend partiers who frequent the local bar or tavern are saying to themselves right now; “I knew I was doing something right all along…who needs a gym anyway?”
Well, that flawed way of thinking still needs to be changed.
But, yes there is some research out there right now that says that Marinating steak in beer or wine before cooking it dramatically reduces levels of chemicals that can cause cancer.
And beer seems to be more effective than wine.
That doesn’t mean you should be heading out right now to your nearest liquor store and stock up on Budweiser though. So put down the car keys sit back down, there’s still more to this story to be read.
Apparently, scientists believe that frying and grilling meat can cause cancerous tumors in your body. The chemical compounds of the meat are changed because of the high heat which turns sugars and amino acids into elevated levels of a compound called heterocyclic amines (HA’s).
So, what’s all of this have to do with Beer?
It turns out that a suggestion was made saying that if you marinate your meats in beer, the levels of HA’s can be lowered.
The idea is to start your food preparation early. Scientists suggest that you marinate your steak in red wine or beer for six hours before you throw it on the grill. That can cut the levels of the two types of HA by up to 90%.
Beer was also found to be helpful at reducing a third type of HA, lowering levels significantly in just four hours.
If you’re not a steak eater, don’t despair. There has been previous research showing that marinating fried chicken in red wine will have similar effects on HA Levels.
A good rule of thumb would be to always cook your meats at a lower heat for a shorter period of time.
I guess the beer makers knew something after all when they created slogans like “The One Beer To Have When You’re Having More Than One”, and “For All You Do…This Bud’s For You.”
Just don’t do too much.
© 2009 BCFitness, Inc All Rights Reserved
