Beer is great for your health. But there's a catch!

Yes, there wasn’t any mistake in the headline. Beer, when consumed in moderation has the potential to be good for your health. According to some recent studies, beer has a surprising number of health benefits from partaking of the tasty beverages.
A recent study published in The American Journal of the Medical Sciences concluded that doctors “should be aware of the growing evidence supporting the nutritional and health benefits of moderate consumption of alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle”.

The study states that beer has more protein and B vitamins than wine and is high in antioxidants and can reduce the rate of cardiovascular disease. But the ‘moderate drinking’ warning should be taken more seriously – this usually means to one drink per day for women, and two maximum for men. It also only works if the rest of your diet is healthy and balanced and doesn’t entirely consist of pub food bought with your pint.
“Beer contains trace amounts of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium, fluoride, and silicon,” she says. “Beer also includes a range of polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids that contribute directly to several beer characteristics such as flavour, haze, body, and fullness.”
If you don’t like beer, but still want to indulge in an alcoholic drink, are there healthy alternatives? Yip says yes, but stick to wine – and, of course, no more than a glass or two at most in one sitting.
“Studies indicate similar protecting effects of both wine and beer against cardiovascular risk,” she says. “Red wine is also a beverage rich in polyphenols, so it’s a big yes. The take-home message is up to 14 units a week. Moderation is key. This is equivalent to a bottle and a half of wine over the course of a week.”