Drop That Apple! A Beer a Day Also Keeps Doctor Away

People who drink a beer a day keep the doctor away 25% more of the time--at least when compared to non-drinkers and hard liquor users--according to a Johns Hopkins study released Tuesday.

Researchers studied data on 8,000 people over age 15 and found that those who were considered moderate beer drinkers were sick less often than people who did not drink or those who drank hard liquor or wine.

Thomas Turner, president of the Hopkins Alcoholic Beverage Medical Research Foundation and dean emeritus of the Hopkins School of Medicine, said that moderate drinking was determined by a person’s weight, giving as an example three beers for a 150-pound person over a 24-hour period.

Turner said it is not clear why beer seems to be beneficial but added that the beverage does contain minerals and vitamins.