Drinking Beer Makes You Smarter (and Healthier)

I recall an episode of Cheers where Cliff Clavin was explaining to his buddy Norm the Buffalo Theory. It went something like this: “Well, ya see Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. When the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of its slowest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as its slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain work faster and more efficiently. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers!”

In fact, a 2012 study from the University of Illinois at Chicago showed that drinking beer may actually make people smarter - especially when it comes to creative problem solving. The fact that alcohol may help with the creative aspects of your brain is certainly a fun little fact you can revel in during happy hour. So maybe one or two wouldn't hurt...

The study tested 40 males between the ages of 21 and 30 - giving half the group two pints of beer and the other half nothing to drink. All participants had to solve a series of word association problems where they were given a set of words and had to propose a word to associate with it. The result? The more inebriated bunch solved 40% more problems, and also finished solving the problems quicker than the sober group. The study also found that although the group that imbibed were better at creative problem solving, they also did worse on memorization tasks.

Health-conscious beer drinkers may think those brews are generally harming their health, but it may be true that the opposite is the case. Beer may help the body metabolize natural toxins, drugs, and pollutants more effectively than other drinks, including water. Two particular components of hops, which are used to make beer, appear to help the body clean itself out. These components – lupulones and humulones – stimulate the production of liver enzymes that in turn metabolize harmful compounds coursing through the liver, according to Gilbert J. Mannering, professor emeritus of pharmacology at the University of Minnesota.

Lupulones and humulones are only two components of hundreds of other compounds in hops that may have a similar effect. Mannering noted, however, that no one yet knows whether any of the components survive the brewing process, and if so, how much beer a person has to consume to get the benefit of efficient toxin metabolization.