Beer History: Medicine & Health
Posted by SmallTimeDrinker in Other Oddities on March 1, 2011 8:16 am / no comments
Beer has played a role in medicine and health since it was invented. Everyone knows you are supposed to eat your grains daily, and early beer was a source of grain based nutrients. It is even possible the first beer was consumed like porridge or gruel. The recipe used by Ancient Egyptians contained tetracycline a powerful antibiotic. (A cruel twist of fate- this site stole my thunder yesterday.)
It is also important to note the role beer played in preventing illness from E. coli and other bacteria. People moved into cities and water supplies became contaminated. The idea of pathogens had not been thought of. People knew water could make them sick, but beer did not. What many did not realize is the boil stage of brewing was killing bacteria. Beer saved thousands if not millions of lives. Everyone drank beer as it was the only known safe beverage in Europe.
While we do not think of beer as health food today, it was likely more nutritious back then. Beer today lacks nutrition and the filters and ingredients used by many brewers likely do not yield the same punch. However, it is important to remember where beer played a role in history.
You may also like:
Last Sunday Discovery Channel aired the first episode of Brew Masters. The show follows Sam Calagione as he makes some of Dogfish Head's 31 annu...
Overview Looking for a beer to try? Pintley just might be the app for you. Like a first date, Pintley starts out with 30 simple questions to...
Overview If you are looking for a simple pairing guide for beer and food, then Beerallels is for you. The layout and easy to use interface is i...
The first real winter storm of 2010-11 is rolling in. Go out get yourself a winter warmer or two, and maybe some Christmas Ales and batten down...
Tags: Health, History, Medicine
No comments
Be the first one to leave a comment.