A pint of life-saver, barman

A pint of Guinness a day is good for the heart as well as the thirst, say researchers.

After giving the green light to chocoholics and wine lovers, cardiac experts now have cheering news for the stout drinker - or perhaps that should be drinker of stout.

They found Guinness works twice as well as lager at producing anti-clotting activity in the blood.

The findings are vindication for the advertising slogan Guinness Is Good For You. It was used for decades on a succession of much-loved posters featuring the Guinness toucan until its makers were barred from claiming health-giving qualities for the drink.

Expectant mothers were often urged by their GP to drink a bottle of Guinness a day as it was thought to improve the iron content of blood. But its benefits to the heart are only just being recognised.

U.S. researchers believe the secret ingredient is flavonoids, the antioxidant compounds which help to reduce damage to the lining of the arteries. They are found in abundance in dark fruits and vegetables, as well as red wine and chocolate, and are responsible for their colour.

It is thought they slow down the oxidation of cholesterol inside the arteries, fighting the free radical chemicals which cause a build-up of fatty deposits that can break off to form a lifethreatening clot.

Although previous studies have suggested small amounts of beer might be good for the heart, it has not been clear whether all beers are equal.

A team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin carried out laboratory tests comparing the health benefits of Guinness with lager. They looked at the effect of feeding beer to dogs with narrowed arteries in the heart similar to the narrowing found in human heart disease.

The results showed only the dogs given Guinness had reduced clotting activity in their blood, suggesting they were less likely to suffer heart attacks.

The findings were presented yesterday at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Florida.

Professor John Folts, who led the study, said that maximum benefit would be gained from 24 fluid ounces of Guinness - or just over one pint - taken at mealtimes for maximum heart protection.

Other experts said the findings show beer has as much benefit as taking low-dose aspirin, which is recommended for those trying to prevent a repeat heart attack.

For anyone hoping for a return of the classic Guinness posters, however, the signs are not good.

A spokesman for Diageo, which now makes the stout, said: 'We never make any medical claims for our drinks.'