How Many Calories in a Beer
How many calories in a beer? Whether you just want to relax and have a good time with your family and friends, drinking beer is always a good idea as long as it’s taken in moderation. If there is a special event, beer will always be part of any drinking and eating session. But there are some people who consume beer way too much. Beer contains calories – about 154 per can, so you if you want to keep your weight in check it helps that you know the calorie count of beer.
How Many Calories in a Beer – Nutrition Facts
To understand the calorie content in a beer, it’s important to find out what beer is made of. Basically, one beer has 12 ounces.
Beer is made up of different ingredients which include the following: yeast, hops, grain and water.
When it comes to the grain used in making a beer, malted barley is the commonly used. For additional flavor, it’s used alongside hops for a balanced bitter and sweet flavor. Apart from its flavor, hops also serve as a preservative.
Depending on the brand of the beer, there are also manufacturers who make use of herbs, spices and fruits. As for the alcohol content, it greatly varies.
There are brands that have content that ranges from 3% to 40% alcohol.
For 100 grams of beer, you get 43 calories.
That is why for women, it is recommended to limit their drink to only one beer and for men, 2 beers.
The different ingredients like grains, yeast and hops all contribute to carbohydrates. In addition to this, brands may also add potassium and B vitamins.
Although beer can give you some nutrients, one should not drink too much. Drinking too much, whether it’s beer or any other alcohol, is not good for your health.
When you drink too much alcohol, it has a lot of health risks which include obesity, alcoholism, cirrhosis and cancer. Another reason why you shouldn’t drink a lot of beer is that it can really ruin your figure.
If you want to enjoy beer but avoid the calorie content, you can go for a light beer that generally has between 64 and 110 calories. Also, when you drink beer, it can make you hungry.
So, just before you drink, it helps to eat first.
Health Benefits of Beer
When taken in moderation, drinking beer has health benefits. It’s just a matter of taking in moderation. Here are just some of the health benefits of drinking beer:
- Reduces heart disease
Few people would know that drinking beer can actually reduce your risk of heart disease. According to research studies, experts found out that a person who drinks beer has a 31% lesser chance of developing heart disease. Beer contains phenols which are considered to be natural antioxidants. But what is interesting is that the researchers found out that with high consumption of beer, individuals have higher risk of heart disease.
- Reduces risk of diabetes
Another known health benefit of drinking beer is that it reduces your risk of diabetes. In a study conducted by Harvard University, it was found that middle-aged men who drank 2 beers a day had a 25% reduction in the risk of having type two diabetes. Drinking beer increases the sensitivity of insulin which is known in preventing diabetes. Apart from that, beer is also a rich source of fiber that is important especially for people who have diabetes.
- Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Among the health benefits of drinking beer, this is the most notable. Various studies have been conducted whereby researchers found out that moderate drinking of beer can significantly reduce the chances of developing this disease by about 25%. Apart from Alzheimer’s, those who drink beer also lessen the risk of developing other conditions like dementia and even cognitive impairment. Beer contains silicon which can prevent the harmful effects of aluminum in the body.
- Lessens the risk of having cancer
Beer contains antioxidants like xanthohumol which is known to have anti-cancer properties. In addition, beer also contains ingredients that can prevent chemical reactions that can result in prostate cancer among men. For women, drinking beer can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
- Lowers cholesterol levels
Most people would think that drinking beer is totally bad, especially since there are some drinkers who have beer bellies and gain weight. But if you can drink in moderation, you can definitely enjoy various health benefits. For one, you can reduce your cholesterol levels. Barley, which is one of the main ingredients in beer, contains beta glucans which can further reduce cholesterol levels.
- Manages blood pressure
Beer is also known to manage blood pressure. In a study conducted by Harvard University, women between the ages of 25 to 40 are less like to have high blood pressure compared to women who do not drink beer.
- Beer can strengthen the bones
Beer can also strengthen bones, and this is not a myth. As beer contains silicone, it can result in higher bone density. However, it’s also important to take note that when you go beyond drinking beer in moderation, you are also at risk of having more bone fractures.
Drinking beer in moderation is the best way to enjoy its taste and at the same time enjoy the different health benefits. Always keep in mind that everything done in moderation is good, but taking it to extremes will always be harmful to your health.
