Cheers for beer

DAYS after dire warnings from the US regarding the dangers of alcohol, the University of Murcia put in a good word for beer.

Beer drinkers appear to have better mental and physical health than tee ‐totallers and ex ‐ drinkers, a research team an ‐nounced.

Analysing data from 33,185 participants in Spain’s National Health surveys between 2012 and 2017, they found that 80 per cent of moderate drinkers rated their physi‐cal health as ‘good’ com ‐

Cranberry cure

SO they were right all along.

Cranberry juice really can help to prevent uri ‐nary tract infections (UTIs), Australian re ‐searchers found after reviewing 50 trials in ‐volving 9,000 participants.

Many women swear by cranberry juice or supplements for preventing cystitis and the Australian review has confirmed that these can reduce the chance of contracting a future UTI by more than 25 per cent.

The odds were slashed by 53 per cent for children and those susceptible to infections following medical interventions, the investiga ‐tion found.

Experts believe this is due to cranberries’ high concentration of the antioxidant proan ‐thocyanidin, which prevents Escherichia coli (E.coli), the most common UTI ‐ causing bacte ‐ria, from sticking to the bladder wall.

Researchers nevertheless warned that cran ‐berries cannot cure an established UTI, for which it is necessary to seek medical attention.

All-round benefits

UNIVERSITY OF POTSDAM (Germany) research ac ‐claimed exercise as the best treatment for depres ‐sion.

It was at least as effective as drugs or talk thera ‐pies, investigators said, and had no potential side ‐effects or waiting lists for appointments.

Their findings were complemented by an Anglia Ruskin University study which showed that regular physical activity was beneficial for ailments ranging from high blood pressure and diabetes to dementia and arthritis.

The Academy of Medical Colleges in London also described physical activity as a “miracle cure” for many common ailments.

A paper published in 2015 concluded that it would also reduce pressure on the NHS if doctors encouraged their patients to exercise more fre ‐quently.

pared to 50 per cent of non‐drinkers.

Ninety per cent of beer‐drinkers regarded their mental health as ‘good’ compared to 80 per cent of non‐drinkers.

The heavier their intake, the better beer ‐ drinkers rated their health al ‐though the experts warned that they were more likely to eat fast food and smoke.