In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, many folks age 21 and older will be celebrating with an iconic Irish beverage: Guinness. Surprisingly, while many alcoholic beverages are unhealthy to consume, Guinness holds certain health benefits that can be beneficial in moderation.
Original Guinness is a type of Irish ale known as a stout. It’s made from grist (grain), which includes large amounts of roasted barely- giving it that burnt flavor and dark coloring. Stouts, in general, hold more nutritional value than what many assume. Most beers are, in fact, rich in antioxidants, vitamin B, the silicon mineral (protects against osteoporosis), and prebiotics that promote ‘good bacteria’ for gut health.
For a quick breakdown of the healthier components of the beverage, Guinness contains:
-Large amounts of antioxidants
-0.3mg of iron in each pint
-Low calorie count
-One of the highest folate contents in a beer
-High fiber content for a beer
-Rich in Ferulic Acid
-All of the B Vitamins (except B12)
-Silicon Mineral
-Lower alcohol content than other beers
Compared to other brews, Guinness has a bit of an edge. It has one of the highest levels of folate, which is a type of vitamin B that our bodies use to produce DNA and other genetic material. The brew also has a very high fiber content for a beer and remains low in calories. Like other alcoholic beverages, Guinness is best consumed in moderation.
The USDA defines moderate alcohol consumption as no more than 2 drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. Just as with all alcohols, consuming too much Guinness can lead to adverse effects including impaired judgement, weight gain, and with heavy drinking: liver disease, high blood pressure, and pancreatitis.
If you are unsure if alcohol consumption is safe with your current health conditions, it is best to consult a medical professional. Murray County Medical Center has multiple quality medical providers available to help you with all of your health needs. Call (507) 836-6111 to schedule an appointment.
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