CALORIES IN BEER: IS THERE ANY HEALTH BENEFIT FROM THIS DRINK?

Beer is one of the most widely consumed drinks, not only in India, but also in some of the major parts of the world. Though beer is quite a refreshing drink, many experts and professionals are often skeptical whether one should be having this drink at all or not. This article will give you a detailed account of the calorie content in beer and will also analyze if beer is good for your health at all or not.

Calorie content in 500 ml of beer:

Beer is an alcoholic drink, and it is often likely to be a bit high in calorie content. Though it is often claimed that beer is not rich in calories, it is often termed to have ‘empty calories’.

The calorie content can also depend on the type of beer that you are consuming. A glass of 500 ml of beer may contain around 210 to 250 calories, as beer may contain 5 per cent of alcohol by volume. On the other hand, the calorie content of beer can be reduced to around 150 to 180 kcal when you are consuming a lighter beer that may contain lower amounts of alcohol.

The calorie content may even exceed 250 to 500 kcal or more when you consume stronger or craft beers. This high number of calories in beer usually comes from two major sources, especially alcohol and carbohydrates.

Is there any nutritional component in beer?

Beer is an alcoholic drink, and it is hardly rich in any nutritional components. There are very small amounts of nutrients present in beer in the form of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. Here is a list of all the nutrients that are present in a glass of beer:

1. Carbohydrates:

A glass of beer may contain some amounts of carbohydrates, which can be beneficial for providing you with enough energy. In fact, one glass of 500 ml beer can contain around 15 to 18 grams of carbohydrates derived from malted barley.

2. Protein:

Beer usually contains trace amounts of protein, which can be somewhere around 2 to 3 grams. This protein does not really serve any major benefit, yet it can be important for cellular health.

3. Vitamins:

A glass of 500 ml of beer may contain very small quantities of vitamins, especially vitamin B2 (in the form of riboflavin), B3 (niacin), and vitamin B6, along with folic acid or folate, which can help to improve overall metabolism of the body and can also help to keep the nervous system in a healthy state.

4. Minerals:

There are trace amounts of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and selenium that are found in beer.

Apart from these nutrients, a glass of beer can also contain some amounts of antioxidants such as polyphenols that are derived from hops and barley.

Health benefits of having beer:

This is a real question that may pop into your mind: Is it really healthy to consume beer? Beer is an alcoholic drink, and therefore, it should always be consumed in limited amounts. Here is a list of some of the basic benefits that you can get from having beer:

1. Bone health: The nutrients in beer, such as minerals and dietary silicon, can help to improve the bone mineral density and can therefore help to reduce the risks of developing osteoporosis or arthritis.

2. Heart health: When consumed in moderation, beer can help to increase the levels of HDL (or good) cholesterol, which can help to reduce the risks of developing cardiac problems.

3. Digestive health: beer consists of some amounts of soluble fibre, which can help to improve your digestive system by supporting your gut health.

Which doctors to consult before consuming beer?

Before you start having beer, you can consult an expert dietitian or a nutritionist who will be able to guide you regarding how much beer you can have based on calorie intake, the type of beer that is suitable for you, whether you can have beer at all or not, and other details. If needed, you can also talk to a gastric expert before having beer if you have digestive problems.

Final Thoughts:

It is not advisable to have beer in your diet. Though you can have some amounts of beer in moderation, it is usually advised that you must consume beer based on your health conditions and the advice of an expert.

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