GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Before you raise a pint this Saint Patrick's Day, there may be a reason to enjoy a brew.
An Italian study of more than 200,000 people found those who drank a pint a day had a 31 percent decrease in heart disease risk. Beer can also raise HDL, the good cholesterol in your body.
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Another Italian study of more than 190,000 men reports those who drank a few bottles daily lowered their risk of kidney stones by 40 percent.
However, addiction experts warn moderation is key.
"[Your organ systems that benefit from a few beers] are the same organ systems that are compromised when you cross the line," explained Sara Jo Nixon, Chief of Addiction Research at the University of Florida.
Research has also found marinating a steak in beer could reduce the risk of cancer. It wipes out the majority of carcinogens that are produced when meat is fried in a pan.