Afraid of the beer belly? Well embrace it, because it turns out that beer can actually be good for you. By all means, a banana or some other fruit or vegetable type thing would be better, but beer has no fat, no cholesterol and is actually low in carbohydrates.

So if you need an excuse to get down to Oktoberfest this weekend, health benefits are the way to go.

Nutrition. Oh the glory of hops, barley and wheat. These grains contain, albeit small amounts of, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous – essential minerals your body needs.

Them bones. The Journal of Science and Food Agriculture suggests that beer may prevent osteoporosis thanks to dietary silicon and Xanthohumol.

This Xanthohumol, found in hops, also reduces hot flushes and may prevent cancer.

Memory. Moderate consumption of the brown stuff could prevent Alzheimer’s, thanks, once again, to dietary silicon.  Researchers from the University of Alcala in Spain found that this silicon affects neurotoxic aluminium ”“ a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s.

Fibre. 10% of your daily intake is in 2 glasses of beer, according to the Brewers of Europe.

Heart health. Beer can reduce the risk of heart disease by 30-40% – so say researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre. Heated barley produces glorious anti-oxidants which help keep strokes  at bay.

Vitamins. The TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute says drinking beer increases vitamin B6 content in the blood by 30%.  B6 supports iron absorption, releases energy from food and improves the nervous system.

Related stories

href="http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/programmes/all-programmes/moncrieff/seans-opening-story-testicle-beer/">Sean’s Opening Story: Testicle Beer!

href="http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/programmes/all-programmes/moncrieff/movies-and-booze-olympic-gold-beer/">Movies and Booze – Olympic Gold Beer!