Key messages

• Beer is made of natural ingredients: water, cereals, hops and yeast.
• Thanks to these natural ingredients, beer can make a positive contribution to the diet, especially by providing B vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and fibre.
• By eating a balanced diet, most people obtain enough nutrients from food without consuming beer.
• If you drink beer, keep in mind that you should drink in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

What is in a beer?

In addition to the positive effects of moderate alcohol consumption (see Chapters 5, 6, 8 and 9), beer can also make a small contribution to diets by providing certain B vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and fibre. The actual composition of different beers range considerably depending on the raw materials used and the way it is made. Table 2 shows the average composition of regular pilsner/lager beers relative to recommended daily dietary intakes, and the nutritional highlights are discussed in this chapter. Gluten, which people having celiac disease have to avoid, will also be discussed. By eating a balanced diet, most people will get enough nutrients, though beer can also play a role in a balanced diet as long as it is consumed in moderation.