Get ready for Irish music, corned beef and cabbage…because St. Patricks day is here!
Green beer will be poured in almost every pub. But what’s really in that beer? The simple answer is green food coloring. Is it a big deal??
Well, it depends on how many beers you drink. Food coloring has been linked to cancer and headaches. Even though it’s unlikely that even the heavy-weight drinkers will get a new diagnosis of cancer due to overindulging for one day, it’s still something to be aware of. A 12-ounce beer is about 150-200 calories. It’s loaded with carbs and serves as a diuretic. The cravings for high calorie munches doesn’t help either. A habit of consuming too much beer over time can lead to liver damage, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
No need to cry over depriving yourself from some “green” fun. Beer does have some benefits. Some studies have shown that moderate consumption of beer (1 12-ounce beer) per day may actually help prevent heart disease, diabetes and help us live longer. Beer does contain bioflavonoids and antioxidants.
So drink responsibly and have fun this St. Patty’s day.