Beer is an enjoyable refreshing drink with relatively low alcohol strength, made from malted barley, cereals, hops, yeast and water.

Beer contains alcohol – usually about 10g for a 5% alcohol by volume (a.b.v)  in a 250ml glass. It also contains calories- but is relatively low compared to other alcoholic drinks per volume.

Beer has essential vitamins (particularly B vitamins), minerals and antidioxants from the raw materials it is made from and soluble fibre, all of which contribute to a healthy diet.

The vitamins in beer include niacin, riboflavin, pyridoxine (B6), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12). The minerals in beer include magnesium, potassium and silicon.

As part of a normal and healthy lifestyle, the benefits of the consumption of beer can be summarized as follows:  

  • It is carbohydrate rich, giving beer a high energetic value

  • It is low in calories and rich in essential vitamins, minerals and anti-dioxins, all essential for the nervous system, skin quality and sugar metabolism

  • It contains no fat, no cholesterol and is low in simple sugars. There is no glucose, fructose or sucrose in traditional beer.

  • It is a low alcohol beverage (4.5%) in comparison with wine (12%) and spirits such as vodka or whisky (45%). This means less pure alcohol entering the body

Beer is also a rich source of dietary silicon, which is associated with healthy bones and may protect against osteoporosis.

Health benefits are associated with light to moderate beer consumption and the effects on health are negative when consumption exceeds this level.

Moderate consumption of beer provides protection against heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions in the same way that red wine does, by enhancing the production of HDL, the body’s essential cholesterol and preventing blood clotting.

Drinking beer in moderation does not make you fat. The “beer belly” has now been exposed mainly as a myth, as nutritionists agree that it is caused less by the beer itself than by an unhealthy diet.

Adverse effects are mainly associated with excessive drinking but for some individuals and certain situations even moderate consumption can be inappropriate.