While red wine is often touted for its heart-healthy benefits, more evidence is showing that when consumed in moderation, beer contains several health-promoting qualities as well, according to an article published in the Winter 2011 issue of the American Dietetic Association’s member publication, ADA Times.
Beer delivers essential nutrients with health benefits:
Interest in artisan brewing is gaining momentum. There are currently more than 100 different categories of beer. A recent report from the global research group Mintel showed that nearly 60% of beer drinkers say they like to try craft or microbrew beers, and 51% would try more if they knew more about them.
Because beer is made using the plant sources barley and hops, it contains a considerable amount of nutrition; however, the brewing process, ingredients and proportions used can all influence the nutritional content of each beverage.
- Calories and Macronutrients - Beer provides fewer calories per ounce than wine and contains both protein and carbohydrates (protein – 4% of total calories; carbohydrates – one-third of total calories).
- Dietary Fiber - Research published in the 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, found that lager contains 2 grams of soluble fiber per liter, while dark beer has 3.5 grams of soluble fiber per liter.
- Vitamins and Minerals - One 12-ounce regular beer contributes a line-up of B-vitamins. The mineral composition of beer (potassium, magnesium and phosphorus) is equal to that of wine; however, beer is the winner when it comes to selenium and silicon content. Selenium aids in the protection against cancer and heart disease. Silicon works to strengthen the connective tissue between bones.
- Antioxidants - Like wine, beer also provides health protective phytonutrients called polyphenols, which help defend against cancer.
Moderate intake of any alcoholic beverage (defined as one 12-ounce alcoholic beverage for women; two for men) has been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clotting. Moderate drinking is also linked with a lowered incidence of gallstones, decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and improved cognitive function in older adults. Beer has been associated with lowering the risk of kidney stones in men, possibly due to beer’s high water content and diuretic effect. In addition, substances in hops may also slow the release of calcium from bone that is implicated in kidney stones.
If you want to choose the most nutritious beer, consider these points from the American Dietetic Association: the more malt in the brew, the more B-vitamins; the more hops, the more phytonutrients; and darker beers may have more dietary fiber than their lighter counterparts.
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
