BEER & YOUR HEALTH

A growing body of scientific research suggests that moderate consumption of beer, wine and spirits carry specific health benefits and can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

In the Fall of 2000 a group of Canadian cardiologists and family practitioners gathered in Toronto to review the research, with a specific focus on alcohol and cardiovascular health.

At the conclusion of the roundtable session, the participants decided that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with the reduced risk of ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke, regardless of the beverage preferred: beer, wine or spirits.

The health benefit of moderate alcohol consumption is acknowledged in other countries. For example, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cite several studies showing that light to moderate alcohol consumption is linked to lower mortality from coronary heart disease.

The Guidelines recommend that "if you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation."

Similarly, the Australian government (National Health and Medical Research Council) in a publication called Alcohol Guidelines: Health Risks and Benefits notes that "alcohol is widely used and enjoyed throughout our society, and for many people it forms part of an enjoyable and generally healthy lifestyle that includes good diet and exercise. 

Recent evidence has confirmed that, at low levels, alcohol has health benefits for some people, particularly in contributing to reducing the risk of heart disease from middle age onwards."  Click here for the Australian guidelines

According to other international research findings, alcohol may also reduce risks associated with other ailments such as stomach ulcers, gallstones, arthritis etc. The Brewers of Europe produced a detailed review of this medical evidence which you can download by clicking here.


Nutrition

Health benefits come from more than just the alcohol. It is said that Trappist monks drank beer to sustain themselves during their Lenten fasts.  They called their beer nutrition "liquid bread."

Beer is rich in nutrients.  Among these are vitamins A, C and B6, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, zinc, iron, calcium, protein and carbohydrates.  According to Canadian Lois Ferguson, a registered dietitian and author, beer – which is made from malt, hops, yeast and filtered water – can make a positive contribution to a healthy diet.  Beer also contains antioxidants which may help protect us from diseases such as cancer.  The key to enjoying beer is moderation.

Beer and Fat / Beer and Calories

The total fat in beer is zero.  Yet nearly nine in 10 (86%) baby boomers (40–59 years of age) thought beer would cause them to get fat or gain weight, according to a national survey conducted by Ipsos-Reid in 2003. Which means that only one in 10 (13%) have the facts: that beer is not fattening, provided it is part of a healthy, balanced diet.

At 140 calories, a standard 341 millilitre beer can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle.  It is even more impressive when you compare it to a 213 millilitre drink of rye and cola, which has 171 calories, or wine, which has 100 calories in just a 142 millilitre serving.  The bottom line is that beer won't make you gain weight, provided it is part of a balanced diet and healthy, active lifestyle.

From the Brewers Association of Canada