It may be surprising for many women but it is true that beer avoids rheumatoid arthritis among women. A new study says having the ale a few times a week may help women avoid the painful condition.

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston said the disease, which is a kind of arthritis linked with immune system dysfunction, affects more women than men.

The disease starts in the 20s and 30s. Lead researcher Dr. Bing Lu said moderate alcohol drinking can prevent future rheumatoid arthritis development. The research found a decline in risk of getting the disease by about 21% with the use of any form of alcohol. But maximum benefit was seen when women had beer.

Having two to four beers per week reduce the risk for the disease by nearly a third. For the research, study researchers monitored the drinking habit of women part of two large studies, the Nurses' Health Study and the Nurses' Health Study II.

The first study strated in 1976 had more than 121,000 registered nurses women. The second strated in 1989 had more than 116, 00 nurses. Surveys revolved questions with regard to their health and lifestyle and these questions were asked after a gap of every two years and questions about diet, alcohol consumption after every four years.

Lu found long-term moderate alcohol drinking reduced the risk of getting diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. But beer showed the maximum benefit by providing 31% reduction in risk. "Long-term, moderate alcohol drinking may reduce future rheumatoid arthritis development", affirmed Lu.

Along with the findings, study researchers warned about two things:

1. Occasional drinking may be good for health, but not binge drinking.
2. The study findings should not act as a reason for people who do not drink beer to start having it.