The wonders of beer

In the days before Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur it was not known that microbes could invade the body and cause disease. People therefore did not know that drinking contaminated water could cause disease and even death. Early humans (up to ca. 13?000 years ago) discovered that steeping grains such as wheat and maize yields a somewhat fizzy liquid with an inebriating effect. What’s more, these early humans soon realized that consuming this magical drink rather than water results in a lower incidence of illness, except for the occasional headache the next morning. This early “beer” was therefore often exalted in various religious and ritualistic ceremonies and the Goddess, Ninkasi was soon born.

Before the discovery that yeast is responsible for fermentation, the magical force responsible for making beer was known as “Godisgood” reinforcing the value of beer in early civilization.

It has since been shown that although various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, can proliferate in beer, human pathogens are eliminated from beer by the action of fermentation by yeasts. Even a bad beer is therefore better for your health than untreated water.

Today beer is mostly consumed as a recreational drink, however, very few people stop to appreciate the true value of beer during early establishment of civilisation. In the words of the pope of foam, Professor Charley Bamforth: “Beer is proof that God loves us”. I humbly agree… don’t you?

Author: Dr. Stefan Hayward

Photo credit: DesignDrawArtes & tookapic