Beer is rich in vitamins and minerals, even in smaller doses than fruits or vegetables. Beer has existed in the world for thousands of years; there is evidence of the pharaohs of Egypt and the early Chinese emperors producing beer.
Beer is produced by a brewing process where wheat, barley, oats, and other grains are fermented with water and yeast. Some spices are added to the brewing process to enhance the flavor. In breweries, some brew beer using other high-sugar carbohydrates such as rice.
Beer’s Benefits Explored
Beer can help improve a person’s mood. But apart from that, it is beneficial for strengthening the immune system. Studies have shown that it helps increase the number of cytokines in the blood, white blood cell count, and improve hemoglobin levels. Beer has also been shown to be beneficial for reducing blood fibrinogen and the viscosity of blood plasma.
Among its health and nutritional benefits, beer has also been found to be beneficial in increasing insulin sensitivity. Therefore, it is beneficial in reducing the risk of diabetes. This is done with moderate and regular drinking of beer or wine. Although alcohol is a factor that increases the risk of developing cancer in general, studies have shown that drinking beer is associated with a reduced risk of developing kidney cancer.
How Many Calories Are There in a Typical Serving of Beer?
A 100-milliliter glass of beer contains about 40 calories and has about 3.5 grams of carbohydrates. A medium 300-milliliter glass of beer contains 120 to 150 calories and has about 10 grams of carbohydrates. A large 500-milliliter glass of beer (half a liter) contains between 180 and 250 calories and has about 18 grams of carbohydrates. Beer contains several vitamins and minerals. It is a high-quality dietary source of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and zinc, and vitamins such as vitamin B5, vitamin B6, choline, niacin, and riboflavin.
Types of Beer and Their Benefits
Beer is consumed by drinking it as a drink, but it is also incorporated into desserts and cooking.
There are hundreds of types of beer. The types of beer available in the market differ from each other in the way each beer is prepared, the raw materials used, and the brewing process involved.
The types of beer can be divided into two main types:
- Ale beer. This is a beer produced through a fermentation process involving the use of ale yeast. This yeast is fermented at the top of the beer tank. Ale yeast is fermented at a temperature of 15-24 degrees Celsius. Natural flavors created during the fermentation process make ale beer richer in flavor than lager beer.
- Lager beers, also known as pilsner beers, are produced using lager yeast. These yeasts are fermented at the bottom of the fermentation tank. The lager fragments are fermented at a temperature of 4-15 degrees Celsius. Refrigeration is required afterward during the production process.
Beer’s Health Benefits
Is beer good for our health? The answer to the question is a general yes, but with reservations. Beer is good for our health in moderate doses. Beer in moderate doses not only strengthens the immune system, but it also reduces the risk of diabetes and renal cancer. It may also help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Beer contains silicon, which helps increase bone density. Therefore, beer consumption reduces the risk of osteoporosis. In addition, studies have proven that beer is associated with an increase in the level of good HDL cholesterol. Lastly, beer has been shown to improve cognitive ability. Beer consumption reduces the risk of developing dementia in adults.
Beer’s Nutritional Values: The Numbers
Attached below is the table containing the nutritional values for 100 ml of a glass of beer. This is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutritional labeling.
| nutritional labeling | Nutritional value per 100 ml |
| kcal – Energy (kcal) | 43 |
| Water | 91.96 |
| Proteins (g) | 0.46 |
| Fats (g) | 0 |
| Ash value (g) | 0.16 |
| Carbs (g) | 3.55 |
| Dietary Fiber (g) | 0 |
| Sugars (g) | 0 |
| Sucrose (g) | 0 |
| Glucose (g) | 0 |
| Fructose sugar (g) | 0 |
| Lactose Sugar (g) | 0 |
| Sugar Maltose (g) | 0 |
| Galactose Sugar (g) | 0 |
| Starch (g) | 0 |
| Calcium – Calcium (mg) | 4 |
| Iron (mg) | 0.02 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 6 |
| phosphorus (mg) | 14 |
| Potassium (mg) | 27 |
| Sodium (mg) | 4 |
| Zinc (mg) | 0.01 |
| Copper (mg) | 0.005 |
| Manganese (mg) | 0.008 |
| Selenium (μg) | 0.6 |
| Fluoride (micrograms) | 44.2 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0 |
| Thiamine (mg) | 0.005 |
| Riboflavin (mg) | 0.025 |
| Niacin (mg) | 0.513 |
| Vitamin B5 – Pantothenic Acid (mg) | 0.041 |
| Vitamin B6 (mg) | 0.046 |
| Folic Acid – Vitamin B9 (μg) | 6 |
| Choline (mg) | 10.1 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 0.02 |
| Vitamin A (μg, RAE) | 0 |
| Retinol (μg) | 0 |
| Beta-carotene (μg) | 0 |
| Alpha-carotene (μg) | 0 |
| Beta-cryptoxanthin (μg) | 0 |
| Vitamin A (UI units) | 0 |
| Lycopene (μg) | 0 |
| Lutein with zeaxanthin (μg) | 0 |
| Vitamin E – Alpha Tocopherol (mg) | 0 |
| Beta tocopherol (mg) | 0 |
| Gamma tocopherol (mg) | 0 |
| Delta tocopherol (mg) | 0 |
| Vitamin D (Vitamin D3 + D2 in UI units) | 0 |
| Vitamin D (Vitamin D3 + D2, in microgram units) | 0 |
| Vitamin K (Phylloquinone, μg) | 0 |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone, μg) | 0 |
| Saturated fatty acids (g) | 0 |
| Monounsaturated fatty acids (g) | 0 |
| Polyunsaturated fatty acids (g) | 0 |
| EPA Omega-3 (g) | 0 |
| Omega-3 DPA (g) | 0 |
| DHA (g) | 0 |
| Trans Fat (g) | 0 |
| Cholesterol (mg) | 0 |
| Tryptophan (g) | 0 |
| Threonine (g) | 0 |
| Isoleucine (g) | 0 |
| Leucine (g) | 0 |
| Lysine (g) | 0 |
| Methionine (g) | 0 |
| Cysteine (g) | 0 |
| Phenylalanine (g) | 0 |
| Tyrosine (g) | 0 |
| Valine (g) | 0 |
| Arginine (g) | 0 |
| Histidine (g) | 0 |
| Alanine (g) | 0.012 |
| Aspartic acid (g) | 0.016 |
| Glutamic acid (g) | 0.047 |
| Glycine (g) | 0.013 |
| Proline (g) | 0.035 |
| Serine (g) | 0 |
| Alcohol (g) | 3.9 |
| Caffeine (mg) | 0 |
Beer Recipes
Beer is also used as a flavoring agent in baking and cooking. Here are a couple of recipes:
