If you need an excuse to toss back a few cold ones this weekend, here are four ways beer might actually be good for you:

  1. It reduces the risk of kidney stones. A recent study found one beer a day can lower your risk by 41%. (Bonus fact: Doctors who specifically study kidneys are called nephrologists.)
  2. It can help replenish you after a workout. The carbs in the beer are good after you've just burned a bunch of calories. And studies have found it might be better than water when you're dehydrated.
  3. It's good for your bones. A study at the University of Texas found that an occasional beer can actually increase bone density.
  4. It might help prevent Alzheimer's. The science is still out. But some researchers think trace amounts of aluminum in our body has something to do with Alzheimer's. And a study in Spain found two beers a day can limit its ability to damage your brain.

Read more at Thrillist.

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