Beer works better than some painkillers, according to a new study
We’ve heard of people drinking in order to soothe emotional pain (totally don’t recommend that, btw) but a new study claims that beer works better than some painkillers at alleviating physical aches.
According to The Independent, researchers at the University of Greenwich conducted 18 studies among 404 subjects that revealed drinking two pints of beer provides better pain relief than paracetamol, which is commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain and fever.
Hmm, so what we gather from this is that if taking a good ol’, steamy Margot Robbie-endorsed beer shower doesn’t help to ease some minor muscle aches, then it’s totally fine to sip a pint or two, right?
Well, sort of. Just because we know chocolate bars help to soothe period cramps and having a little bit of beer helps with pain doesn’t mean you should replace all of your aspirin bottles with candy bars and cases of your favorite ale. Despite the results, scientists still advise people to drink in moderation.
From the study’s findings, published in The Journal of Pain, researchers explained:
“Findings suggest that alcohol is an effective analgesic that delivers clinically-relevant reductions in ratings of pain intensity, which could explain alcohol misuse in those with persistent pain, despite its potential consequences for long-term health.”
Apparently, when your blood alcohol level reaches approximately .08 percent, the body’s pain threshold increases slightly, resulting in “a moderate to large reduction in pain intensity ratings.”
As Dr. Trevor Thompson, head of the study, explained to The Sun, “If we can make a drug without the harmful side- effects then we could have something that is potentially better than what is out there at the moment.”
