Beer drinkers are aware that drinking beer as if it’s water will lead to a beer belly, among other health concerns. Studies show, however, that moderate consumption can actually provide some health benefits.

Recently, researchers at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg have discovered that a powerful antioxidant called xanthohumol, which is found in hops – an aromatic herb which gives beer its bitter flavor – can help fight breast and prostate cancers.

Scientists are already aware that substances in hops help inhibit the action of estrogen but the German study marks the first time that they have been found to block testosterone as well.

Xanthohumol was also found to help prevent the release of PSA, a protein which hastens the spread of prostate cancer.

But hold your horses, beer drinkers, because doctors aren’t about to recommend regular booze consumption as a cancer prevention tip.

The more popular light lager and pilsner beers, which are preferred by more beer drinkers in the U.S., contain less hops than ales and traditional beers like porter and stout. That means you’ll have to drink more than a dozen beers to get enough xanthohumol to experience any potential health benefits, Dr. Joseph Mercola explains.

While moderate consumption of alcohol can provide you with certain health benefits, alcohol use also poses significant health and safety risks, as it impairs driving performance, Dr. Mercola points out. It is also a known fact that alcohol is a neurotoxin, meaning it can poison your brain.

Mercola believes that alcohol is only for people who are at no risk of alcohol addiction and are already at their peak health, which means they have their carbohydrates – sugars and grains – under control, as alcoholic beverages increases insulin levels.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), almost 1.5 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2009, and the latest estimates are indicating that by 2030, there would be over 26 million cancer patients, with 17 million deaths.

The good news is, many cancer cases and deaths can be prevented.

The ACS states that about one-third of the more than 562,000 cancer deaths expected to occur in 2009 will be related to obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition, and 169,000 will be attributed to smoking.

So what can you do to avoid cancer?

“Take control of your health,” says Dr. Joseph Mercola. Living an anti-cancer lifestyle means living healthy to avoid the growth of cancer cells in your body.

Here are Dr. Mercola’s top 12 tips to prevent cancer:

1. Optimize your vitamin D levels – Get plenty of sun exposure and consider other sources of vitamin D, like a safe tanning bed or a quality vitamin D supplement, when this is not possible. If you’re a cancer patient, Dr. Mercola urges you to regularly monitor your vitamin D blood levels.
2. Stop eating processed foods and reduce your sugar and grain intake – This is true even for whole unprocessed organic grains because they tend to rapidly break down and cause a spike in your insulin and leptin levels, which is the last thing you’ll want if your goal is to treat or prevent cancer.
3. Manage your fasting insulin and leptin levels – This is the end result, and can be easily monitored by using simple and relatively inexpensive blood tests.
4. Normalize your omega-3 fats to omega-6 fats ratio – You can do this simply by taking a high-quality animal-based omega-3 fat like krill oil and by reducing your intake of most processed vegetable oils.
5. Exercise regularly – Exercise brings your insulin levels down and managing insulin levels is one of the best ways to reduce your cancer risks.
6. Always get enough sleep.
7. Eat according to your Nutritional Type – This is one of the most powerful anti-cancer strategies recommended to patients in Dr. Mercola’s Natural Health Center.
8. Limit your exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, household chemicals, synthetic air fresheners and air pollution.
9. Limit your exposure to electromagnetic radiation, which is produced by cell phones, cell phone towers, base stations and WiFi stations.
10. Cook healthy – Avoid, microwaving, frying or charbroiling your food. Boil, poach or steam your foods instead.
11. Eat at least one-third of your food raw.
12. Consider using a tool to permanently address the neurological issues that can activate cancer genes – The CDC states that 85 percent of disease is caused by emotions. It is likely that this factor may be more important than all the other physical ones in this list. For Dr. Mercola, one of the best approaches is the Meridian Tapping Technique.

It was no different in the world of health and wellness. The salmonella outbreak, the Bisphenol A controversy, vaccines, cholesterol drugs and Obama’s promise to push for health care reforms were among the news that grabbed the headlines.

Before we welcome 2009 and as my Christmas present for you, I would like to share my top health articles of 2008 (in no particular order) from Mercola.com, the world’s top natural health website:

How to Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs Without Peeling – I love eating boiled eggs but I don’t have too much patience for the peeling part. Comes with a video of Tim Ferris, bestselling author of the 4-Hour Work Week showing how easy it is to get this done.

Avoid Flu Shots With the One Vitamin that Will Stop Flu in Its Tracks – Vitamin D was probably the most talked about nutrient in 2008. The article tells you why you should forget about getting a flu shot and make Vitamin D your primary line of defense against the flu.

One of the reasons why I’ve made a conscious effort to get more sun lately is because of Dr. Mercola’s recommendations. Now that we’re talking about Vitamin D and to help you get off 2009 on the right foot, Dr. Mercola’s just released a free one-hour lecture on Vitamin D, one of the MOST important videos he has created, to explain just how important it is to you and your family’s good health. Click here to watch the video.

This Company May Be the Biggest Threat to Your Future Health – When a company responsible for producing some of the most dangerous chemicals in the world wants to help secure global food supply, something’s not right. Dr. Mercola blows the whistle on Monsanto, the world’s largest seed company and inventor of chemicals such as Agent Orange.

12 Foods You Dont Have to Buy Organic – Dr. Mercola explains why eating organic foods is more than just a lifestyle choice.

Beware of Lemon Slices in Your Restaurant Drinks – This will make you think more than twice next time you order your favorite drinks.

Fungus Causing Cancer – A Novel Approach to the Most Common Form of Death– Cancer has already claimed numerous lives but the cause of this deadly disease continues to elude doctors and scientists, and the search for an effective cure continues. This article discusses a new cancer theory promising a safe, fast and effective cure.

12 Food Additives to Avoid – An important commentary by Dr. Mercola on the dangers of food additives to your children’s health.

Ten Healthiest Foods Under $1 – Dr. Mercola tells you how to shop for healthy food without overstretching your budget.

Vitamin C About to be Made Illegal in Canada! – A warning against legislation that could threaten the natural health industry and prevent you from seeking safer alternatives to improve your health and treat illnesses.

You Will Never Guess the Surprising Cause of Most Heart Attacks – Shows that emotional conflict, and not the conventional symptoms, may be the real cause of most heart attacks.

These are just some of the interesting and helpful information that I’ve read while regularly browsing Mercola.com’s library of health articles.
Do yourself a favor this holiday season. Visit Mercola.com now and be empowered to take control of your health. Good health is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your family.

Happy holidays!