Apple cider contains polyphenols, which are plant compounds that act as antioxidants. They can help the body fight free radicals and cell damage, reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Polyphenols also help relieve inflammation in the body. According to Cider Craft Magazine, there are three health benefits that come from drinking hard cider: antioxidants, vitamin C and gluten-free.
WebMD suggests that apple cider specifically contains polyphenols, which act as antioxidants. What does this mean for you? Our source explains that the polyphenols in apple cider can help the body fight free radicals and cell damage, reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. While cider and beer aren't the first thing that comes to mind when someone talks about healthy drinks, some research indicates that drinking the right types of cider and beer minimizes the impacts of alcohol on the body.
Not only does cider fight cancer and heart disease, but the vitamin C found in cider helps fight bacteria; the immune system's best friend. It's not useless, it's desperate. Most standard hard apple ciders are made without the use of hops, so if you're sensitive to the cone-shaped flowers of the hop plant, you can order cider without having to explain your often unheard of allergy to anyone. So the next time you're looking for a cold and refreshing alcoholic beverage, consider opting for a glass of tannin-rich hard cider and enjoy it with your friends.
Cider is also rich in nutrients, as it contains pectin, B vitamins, biotin, folic acid and, unlike beer, vitamin C. As a result, it generally has fewer carbohydrates than cider, making it a little “healthier”, even though the number of calories remains approximately the same. No matter how you cut it, apple cider has a robust and seemingly unlimited amount of potential flavors and types. The acid in cider promotes iron absorption, which is important because iron is a key part of hemoglobin, which feeds muscles with oxygen during exercise.
Cider has an advantage over a beer in some comparisons, especially when drinking artisanal cider that has not been mass-produced. You can find a large number of how-to books at your local bookstore, and there are countless cider tutorials online. Like beer, cider also contains a healthy dose of antioxidants thanks to apples and apple skin (which contains tannins). In essence, cider is easy to make and can be enjoyed relatively quickly once fermented.
Cider is no longer for the weak; once a favorite drink of men of war and politics, hard cider is finally returning to its roots and regaining its well-deserved popularity.
