9 Tips To Follow Before Drinking Beer

Beer is the oldest fermented beverage that ranks third in the list of most preferred drinks across the globe, after tea and coffee. For ages, people have been consuming beer and as per ancient Greek physician Paracelsus, moderate intake of beer can have wonderful effect on our health.

Studies suggest that beer is a great source of fibre and minerals. Beer is found helpful in preventing diabetes, maintaining optimum kidney and heart health, great for skin and hair and is a great way for dealing with high cholesterol.

But downfalls of drinking beer should also be taken into account while consuming beer on regular basis. Huge quantities of beer frequently can alter blood sugar levels, add extra pounds, damage the liver and cause heartburn and impairment.

Studies suggest that couple of drinks in an hour can severely impact the body’s fat burning ability. The consumption of moderate quantities of alcohol on daily basis can add too many calories and negatively affect the body’s metabolic activities.

If you cannot give up your stress busting beverage, then follow these easy tips before drinking beer without getting affected from its regular consumption:

1. Drink Water Before, During & After Having Beer

To ensure that you don’t over drink and get a hangover, you need to be stout hearted about drinking beer in moderation. Have continuous sips of water before, during and after a glass of beer. Since alcohol is diuretic in nature, consumption of beer can cause dehydration. Drinking plenty of water will not only prevent dehydration but make you feel full soon, prompting you to take it slow.

2. Understand Difference Between Light Beer & Low Carb Beer

There are attractive options available for beer lovers in the form of light beer, low carb beer and low alcohol beer. The light beer is the one that has been brewed lower in alcohol and has lesser calories while the low carb beer is brewed in a way that it is low on carbohydrates but the alcohol content remains unchanged.

3. Don’t Frost Your Glass

If you think that your enjoyment in beer indulgence enormously increases when your glass is frostier, then you are certainly living a lie. In reality, by frosting your glass of beer, you are causing beer to foam that kills its carbonation and natural aromas. Instead of consuming chilled beer, drink beer when it is at room temperature to enjoy its natural flavours but in moderation.

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4. Follow A Slow & Steady Approach

To ensure that you intake moderate quantities of beer, you must follow the slow and steady approach which is one of the best tips before drinking beer. It has been studied that the liver takes at least an hour to process a standard beer drink size.

However, if you consume another drink in an hour, the body’s fat burning ability will slow down. This will lead to greater fat storage in the body. Researchers have revealed that moderate amounts of beer can provide heart friendly benefits if the drink is limited to one or two glass a day.

5. Don’t Leave Your Beer Exposed To Direct Sunlight

While moderate drinking of beer is ideal to maintain great health, it is equally essential that your beer is not skunked. Experts say that beer should not be exposed to direct sunlight before it is opened.

You can easily spot the difference between a beer that has been and that has not been exposed to sunlight by buying it from a shop where the beer is seen to be in a shelf that has easy access to sunlight. Beer should always be stored in a cool and dry place away from sunlight to keep its flavour, taste and nutrient composition unchanged.

6. Beer Glass Shape Check

Studies have proved that the drinking behaviour of any individual highly depends upon the shape of the beer glass that he or she uses to consume beer. In fact, a study conducted in the year 2015 found that people who consumed beer in straight sided glass inadvertently consumed less amount of alcohol in comparison to those people drinking beer from curved glasses. Also people who use glasses consisting volume measurements tend to have slower drinking rate.

7. Don’t Consume Ice Cold Beer

While most of us brag about having cold beers, this is not the real way to enjoy this yeasty beverage. As a matter of fact, most beers are meant to be consumed just above the room temperature and many experts suggest cooling it in the refrigerator for just 10 minutes to ensure that the drink retains its natural flavours, aromas and nutrient composition.

8. Don’t Store Beer For Long Duration

Most of us have beers in our refrigerators that are lying there for months. Storing beer for a long time can alter its taste and flavour as it ages quickly. Therefore, instead of bringing too many beers and storing it for a long time making it taste different from normal brew, buy fresh and consume it as soon as possible to enjoy the best of the drink.

9. Eat Protein While Drinking Beer

If you really want to curb the amount of beer intake in one sitting, then start indulging in protein rich foods before and during beer drinking. As a satiating macronutrient, protein has a thermic effect of food ranging between 20 to 30 percent implying that protein rich meals during drinks can keep a check on the blood alcohol levels.

High protein foods stimulates the liver to delay gastric emptying which in turn helps in reducing the entry of alcohol in the bloodstream by about 40 percent. This means a good protein meal can not only help in cutting down the damage caused by alcohol substantially but also will make your stomach feel full, resulting in lower indulgence in beer consumption.

While these are some essential tips before drinking beer that must be followed, one must also ensure to drink beer in a mug or glass made from natural materials. You must pour the beer into the centre of the glass from a distance of 2 to 3 cms and then wait till the foam settles.

Appreciate the flavour by consuming it in small sips and since beer goes with all kinds of delicacies, you can limit your beer consumption by having it with your regular meals. Also beer bottles must be stored standing up and not laying down on the sides to ensure that the composition of your favourite drink does not get altered.

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