The “beer belly” is a myth as there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the beverage causes weight gain, a new report has claimed.
In fact beer, the country’s national drink, has nutritional and wellbeing benefits similar to wine when consumed in moderation, it is claimed.
Nutritionist Dr Kathryn O’Sullivan, who carried out the review of the scientific review, believes that swapping beverages for beer may actually be a sensible way to diet.
Beer has fewer calories per 100ml than wine, spirits, and even orange juice, it is claimed.
“Unfortunately beer has this image as a high-calorie, high-fat drink,” Dr O’Sullivan told The Times. “It is very unfair.”
If you consume huge amounts of beer you will gain weight, but the same is true for those who glug wine by the gallon.
The report “Beer & calories; a scientific review” points out that the drink contains vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants and minerals such as silicon which may help to lower your risk of osteoporosis.
She argues rather than detoxing we need to be more “consumer aware” at managing alcohol consumption all year round.
People in Britain spend on average 14 years dieting in their lifetime, but according to the report have many common preconceptions on the calories in drinks.
More than half of adults don’t know how many calories there are in beer or wine, and 74 percent of women overestimate the calorie content of beer.
Dr O’Sullivan concludes that swapping two large glasses of wine a day with two bottles of lager could save 58,240 calories a year.
“Beer drinking in Britain has become regarded by many as a vice and not a component of a healthy balanced lifestyle. But this is contrary to the latest scientific evidence,” she said.
“Enjoyed in moderation, beer, like wine, can provide many essential vitamins and minerals and moderate consumption may also protect against many conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.”
Now that there is evidence to show it is ok to break out a couple cold ones, let me know your beer of choice. Mine is Stella, Epicenter, or Hemp Ale.
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