Beer & Health

Beer & Health

When enjoyed in moderation, beer can form part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Study after study has shown that, when consumed in moderation by adults with no underlying health conditions, beer and its broad nutritional constituents combine to provide a wealth of health benefits around the body and protection against a wide range of ailments.

  • Beer contains no fat or cholesterol
  • Beer is low in carbohydrates
  • Beer is full of B vitamins and minerals such as silicon and folic acid
  • Beer has a relatively low calorific value compared to other alcoholic drinks

Nutrition & Calories

We recognise consumers are increasingly interested how the nutritional content of their food and drink. The table below contains this information for some of our most popular beers.

The idea that beer is high in weight-inducing sugar and carbohydrates compared to wine and spirits is one that has persisted as a popular misconception for years among consumers.

A survey carried out by the food and drink research centre Campden BRI, set out to compare the calorie and carbohydrate content of beers, beer mixes, ciders and wine. The study analysed the calorific content of 52 drinks, including standard and higher strength lager, beer, ciders, wines as well as low and non-alcoholic beers.

The study found that around 66% of the calorie content of beer was provided by ethanol (alcohol) with carbohydrates (including sugar) making up just 30% of the calories.

The study also reported that there was an almost direct correlation between alcohol strength and calories. Although carbohydrate content was higher in beer than wine, it concluded that beer, which has a relatively low alcoholic strength generally contains less calories per volume than wine or cider (which is also high in sugar).

Nutritional information on Shepherd Neame brewed beer (per 100ml)

Product Pack ABV % Energy kJ Energy kCal Fat g Saturates g Carbohydrate g Sugar g Protein g Salt g
1698 Bottle 6.5 238 57 <0.1 <0.1 4.8 1.4 0.4 <0.1
Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale Bottle / can / keg 4.8 178 43 <0.1 <0.1 3.2 <0.1 0.4 <0.1
Bear Island Triple Hopped Lager Bottle / can / keg 4.6 164 39 <0.1 <0.1 3.2 0.4 0.3 <0.16
Bishops Finger Bottle 5.2 184 44 <0.1 <0.1 3.2 0.5 0.3 <0.8
Bishops Finger Cask 5.2 184 44 <0.1 <0.1 3.2 0.5 0.3 <0.8
Christmas Ale Bottle 7 256 61 <0.1 <0.1 5.2 1.5 0.4 <0.1
Double Stout Bottle 5.1 187 45 <0.1 <0.1 3.8 <0.4 0.3 <0.13
Five Grain Bottle / keg 5 164 39 <0.1 <0.1 2.9 1 0.4 <0.1
India Pale Ale Bottle 6.1 206 49 <0.1 <0.1 3.7 0.6 0.3 <0.2
Masterbrew Bottle 4 137 32.9 <0.1 <0.1 2.4 0.38 0.3 <0.1
Masterbrew Cask 3.7 132 32 <0.1 <0.1 2.7 1 0.2 <0.1
New Dawn Bottle 5 191 46 <0.1 <0.1 4.1 <0.1 0.4 <0.01
Noughty Bear Bottle 0.5 88 21 <0.1 <0.1 4.3 0.2 0.1 0.01
Spitfire Amber Ale Bottle 4.2 144 34.5 <0.1 <0.1 2.5 0.4 0.3 <0.1
Spitfire Amber Ale Cask / keg 4.2 144 34.5 <0.1 <0.1 2.5 0.4 0.3 <0.1
Spitfire Gold Cask 4 151 36 <0.1 <0.1 3.1 0.5 0.3 <0.4
Spitfire Gold Bottle 4.3 158 38 <0.1 <0.1 3.1 0.5 0.3 <0.4
Spitfire Lager Bottle / keg 4 138 33 <0.1 <0.1 2.5 0.5 0.3 <0.1
Whitstable Bay Black Stout Bottle / keg 4.2 154 37 <0.1 <0.1 3.1 <0.4 0.25 <0.13
Whitstable Bay Blonde Lager Bottle 4.3 160 38 <0.1 <0.1 3.2 0.4 0.3 <0.16
Whitstable Bay Organic Ale Bottle 4.5 155 37 <0.1 <0.1 2.8 <0.4 0.4 <0.14
Whitstable Bay Pale Ale  Bottle 3.9 144 34 <0.1 <0.1 2.9 0.4 0.2 <0.15
Whitstable Bay Red IPA Bottle / keg 4.5 181 43 <0.1 <0.1 3.9 1.1 0.3 <0.1