Once upon a time in Ireland, blood donors could enjoy a free Guinness to replenish their iron levels.
We all know that alcohol, especially in excess, can have a negative effect on physical and mental health, but Guinness was given as a remedy after a certain appointment.
It wasn’t a reward for an arduous surgery or a celebration after giving birth. Guinness was once thought to have many health benefits and until recently was offered to blood donors in Ireland.
That’s because black stuff, invented in 1759, is rich in iron, along with calcium and B vitamins. Approximately 220 to 250 mg of iron is lost after donating blood. Until 2010, Guinness offered free drinks to blood donors in Ireland due to its iron content.
If excessive amounts of iron are removed from stores and not replenished from dietary sources, iron stores can be depleted and hemoglobin levels can drop. To avoid plummeting iron levels, you should consume iron-rich foods such as red meat, fish, and spinach.
Diageo, which owns Guinness, ended its practice of offering free drinks to blood donors in 2010. Grainne Mackin of Diageo said at the time:
“Guinness has long stopped promoting this product as a medicine. We wish to comply fully with our voluntary marketing regulations, which are not driven by any commercial purpose. .”
Guinness is no longer promoted as “better for you” and the tradition of breweries giving away free bottles of stout to blood donors has ended.
TV doctor Dr Hilary Jones has previously admitted to “prescribing” Guinness on hospital wards. He said this in 2022. “I was prescribing it on the ward.
“It’s rich in iron, which provides oxygen to the body through red blood cells. It also contains B vitamins, which are very good for brain function. That’s why Irish people are so smart, of course. is.”
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin found in 2003 that a pint of Guinness a day may be as effective as a low dose of aspirin in preventing things like heart blood clots that increase the risk of heart attack. I discovered that.
But that doesn’t mean you should gulp down Guinness and replace it with other iron-rich products. Although it’s a good excuse for a Guinness, Black Stuff is best enjoyed in moderation.
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