When it comes to beer, there are dozens of varieties to choose from, including the popular dark beer. But what exactly is dark beer, and is dark beer good for you?
What is Dark Beer?
Dark beer is a type of beer that, as the name suggests, is darker in color compared to lighter beers. What sets it apart from other beers is roasted malt in the brewing process, which gives the beer its unique color, texture, and flavor.
The color of a beer depends on various factors, including the type of malt, hops, and yeast used. The darker the beer, the more roasted malt it contains. In general, beers that have a dark or opaque color are considered dark beer.
Is Dark Beer Good for You?
Drinking dark beer in moderation has been linked to a number if health benefits. For instance, dark beer is packed with antioxidants, substances that help protect the body against oxidative stress and cell damage. (Source)
Additionally, dark beer is rich in iron, potassium, and magnesium, minerals that play a crucial role in maintaining optimal health. (Source)
However, although dark beer maybe somewhat classified as good for you, the amount of these nutrients in dark beer is typically small, and can be easily obtained from other sources in a balanced diet.
How does dark beer compare to regular/light beer regarding health benefits?
Dark beer contains more nutrients than regular or light beer and has a higher antioxidant content. (source)
However, it is important to remember that dark beer also has a higher alcohol content, so it should be consumed in moderation to avoid negative health effects.
Is Guinness a good choice for those seeking health benefits from dark beer?
Guinness is a relatively low-alcohol beer, with a lower calorie count than many other beers, and maybe a good choice for those looking for a beer with a slightly lower alcohol content.
It also contains some antioxidants, but again, the amount is not significant enough to significantly impact health.
If you are looking for an excuse for drinking a “healthier” beer, you can try blur the excuse because dark beer contains a higher antioxidant level.
But no, presenting the idea of drinking beer for health reasons to your doctor won’t go down well.
Instead, drink beer to enjoy it. That said, drinking dark beer does have slight health benefits to it’s lighter counterparts. But again the alcohol content probably outweighs the benefits.
Nevertheless,
Heart Health and Dark Beer
Studies have shown that moderate consumption of dark beer can reduce the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. That is, if your drinking is in moderation.
Can drinking dark beer be good for your heart?
As mentioned above, drinking dark beer in moderation has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. The key here is not to overdo it or convince yourself that you are being healthy by drinking dark beer.
If drinking a nice beer relaxes you, especially with friends – you maybe doing your heart a favor. But there are better things you can do for your heart, such as exercise and good nutrition. You don’t need any scientific references to convince you of that.
However, drinking dark beer in moderation for a healthy lifestyle will not hurt.
Is it true that dark beer has fewer calories than light beer?
No, this is a common myth. While it is true that darker beers have more nutritional content and potentially higher antioxidant contents, this doesn’t affect their caloric value. There aren’t significant differences in calories between darker and lighter beers, so drinkers should be aware of the calorie count regardless of which kind of beer they choose to enjoy.
Popular dark beers to try
Some of the most popular dark beers include Guinness, a type of stout, and Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale, a popular English ale.
Other dark beer varieties include Schwarzbier, a dark lager from Germany, and Belgian Dubbel, a dark beer often brewed using candy sugar or other sweeteners.
