Not long ago, I wrote about a story linking the drinking of beer to the prevention of prostate cancer. But now, good ol’ Eric Braun of the San Antonio Express-News has to go and burst our bubble.

These studies are all well and good, and heaven knows we need more research on the causes and preventions of all types of cancer.

We run into problems, though, when headlines and television announcers start touting that “beer might actually be good for you.”

What you miss in most of these stories is that there is only a minuscule amount of the chemical in beer.

Chances are, if your doctor wants you to take xanthohumol to prevent prostate cancer, it’s going to come in a pill, not a prescription for two IPAs per day.

One of my dad’s favorite references is to “a pork chop in a can.” He read somewhere that a can of beer has approximately the same amount of protein as a pork chop, and it stuck.

Sadly, after checking into this, it turns out that it would take about a 12-pack to equal a pork chop. Sorry, Dad.

Unfortunately, Eric’s right. Every time one of these studies comes out, we forget that excessive alcohol can lead to other major health problems. We may be preventing prostate cancer marginally but also increasing our risk for liver failure times ten. Studies like these happen quite often. One day you’ll hear that caffeine is great for brain health, the next we’ll hear that it’s terrible for your heart.

The bottom line is this: moderation, friends. No matter how much beer you drink, no amount will dramatically increase your health or wellness. Will some brew help against certain ailments? Probably. Just don’t go around justifying your drinking binge as a way to cure cancer. Enjoy your good beer in moderation and hope that some good comes of it. You never know when the next study will come out saying stouts cure the common cold (fingers crossed!).

San Antonio Express-News — What’s on tap: Beer is not health food