A cold beer on a hot day can hit the spot; however, it adds calories to your meal plan and very little in the way of nutritional value. Understanding the nutrition basics of different types of beer allows you to adjust your diet accordingly, increasing your intake of healthy foods to introduce the vitamins and minerals you need to meet your daily nutrition goals.
Light Beers
Many breweries manufacture beers termed as "light" aimed at dieters and people interested in beers with fewer calories. Some light beers do, in fact, contain fewer calories, while many simply taste lighter than other, heavier beers. A entire bottle of beer contains usually 12 oz.; a 3.5 oz. serving of light beer contains about 27 calories with 0 g of fat, 1.4 g of carbohydrates and 0.2 g of protein. A 3.5 oz. serving also supplies 2 percent of the daily value for niacin, vitamin B-6 and vitamin B12 and 1 percent of the riboflavin, magnesium and phosphorus you require each day. Light beer generally contains 4.1 to 4.2 percent alcohol by volume, although alcohol content varies by brand.
Lagers
Lagers range in color from light to dark, although traditional lagers have a pale hue. This type of beer generally contains a high level of carbonation, and part of the manufacturing process includes storage in a cool place. Pilsner and bock are varieties of lager. Llager contains about 27 calories, 3.6 g of carbs and 0.2 g of protein per 3.5-oz. serving; the amount of nutrients in lager differs greatly from brand to brand, just as the taste and color varies. In each serving, you take in 4 percent of the niacin your body needs each day as well as 2 percent of the daily value for riboflavin and vitamin B-6. You consume 1 percent of the daily for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iodine as well. Lagers usually contains quite a bit of alcohol -- 4.7 to 4.9 percent by volume.
Dark Beers
Dark beers are often considered the heaviest of beverages, although the calories and carbohydrates generally do not exceed those of other beers. A 3.5 oz. serving serves up about 33 calories and 3 g of carbohydrates. Dark beers are often high in antioxidants, compounds that may offer protection against free radical damage that may result in disease and medical conditions. Research published in the August 2003 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" notes that beer provides more antioxidants per day than wine in the U.S. diet and indicates that both dark and lager beers provide high levels of these nutrients. The antioxidants in beer may lower "bad" cholesterol. Alcohol content of dark beers generally ranges from 4.2 to 4.8 percent by volume.
Health Risks
Despite the health benefits, drinking all types of beer -- with the exception of non-alcoholic varieties -- can cause problems, beginning with drunkenness. Becoming inebriated may result in motor function interference and impaired judgment. Consuming too many calories from beer may also contribute to excess weight gain. Regular alcohol abuse can cause cirrhosis of the liver and addiction as well.
References
- Fitbit: Beer, Light
- Fitbit: Beer, Lager, Sweet
- MyFitnessPal: Guiness Draft Beer
- ShapeFit: Calories & Carbs In Beers
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Phenol Antioxidant Quantity and Quality in Foods; J.A. Vinson, et al.; Aug. 27, 2003
- Newsmax; The ABC's of Heart Healthy Dark Beer; Michael Arnold Glueck and Robert J. Cihak; Jan. 10, 2005
Member Comments