Beer can prevent cold, flu in kids

A study conducted by Japanese brewery Sapporo determined that a compound called humulone found in beer may help cure a virus that causes the common cold in adults and bronchitis and pneumonia in children. Just how much beer would you have to consume? According to AFP, one would have to drink 30, 12-ounce cans to get the virus-fighting properties.

But, Dr. Sonu Ahluwalia, clinical chief of orthopedic surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, said that even if beer did have this curing effect, that amount needed is not advised. Not only does the virus in question rarely cause serious complications in children, but giving alcohol to children could have some very dangerous side effects.

"Alcohol is a toxin," he explained to CBSNews.com. "While the brains are being formed and while things are in development, why would feed someone a toxin? We strongly discourage anybody to feed alcohol to any child."

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