LIKE every year, St Patrick's Day celebrations will no doubt be washed down with ample pints of Guinness.

And while it is common knowledge that drinking alcohol excessively is not good for you, the frothy liquid is actually better for you than you thought.

3 Guinness contains less calories than the average lager Credit: Getty Images

As per the brands old slogan, drinking Guinness can actually be "good for you" as the Irish beer has an impressive nutritional profile.

Jamie Logan, a personal trainer, nutritionist and health and wellness specialist, told Medical Daily: "Guinness in a 12 oz pint only contains 125 calories.

"The same serving of bud light has only 15 calories less.

"Guinness also only has five calories more than the same amount of skim milk."

But aside from it being low-calorie, there are other surprising nutritional benefits.

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1. It's a light beer

Guinness is often thought of as a heavy beer because of its dark colour.

But Jamie said that is not the case.

He said: "I think it's because of the dark colour of Guinness, it's actually not black but a ruby colour."

According to Jamie, Guinnes is not carbonated like regular lager, meaning it is less filling.

A regular lager uses carbon dioxide to dispense it, and Guinness uses more nitrogen, which can also make it feel heavier.

Nitrogen, and the way Guinness is dispensed, results in the cascade effect where bubbles flow downward and settle, compared to lagers where they rise up.

2. Calcium

One pint of Guinness is one per cent calcium, which can boost bone health.

A study in 2009 found drinking beer in moderation can help improve bone mineral density, a major risk factor in osteoporosis.

The research also concluded that silicone found in beer can improve bone density.

3 The way Guinness is poured means it is less carbonated than other beers Credit: Getty Images

3. Vitamin B

According to an article from the Institute of Brewing, a pint of Guinness is full of nutrients like all the B vitamins, except B12.

Vitamin B2 increases during the brewing process.

The vitamins play a vital role in helping our bodies convert food onto fuel.

4. Iron

Feeling tired? Iron can help boost energy levels and a pint of Guinness contains 0.3 milligrams of iron - about three per cent of an adults recommended daily dose.

Three pints will give you the equivalent of a single yolk egg.

3 Guinness is rich in barley, and research is underway to determine if the ferulic acid found in barley can help prevent heart disease Credit: Getty Images

5. Flavonoids

If you've not heard of these, they are the antioxidants that give fruit and vegetables their dark colour.

A 2003 study found flavonoids in beer can reduce the risk of heart attack from blood clots.

The research was done on dogs with clogged arteries by comparing the effects of Guinness and Heineken.

Only the dogs who drank Guinness had reduced clotting.

6. Barley

Guinness is high in barley

Barley is high in ferulic acid, which can boost the immune system.

Jennifer Bowers, a registered dietitian, told Medical Daily: "Studies demonstrate that ferulic acid is associated with improved immune function and decreased inflammation. Research is ongoing to determine preventative ferulic acid effects on cardiovascular disease and cancer."

Guinness and other darker beers contain higher amounts of this antioxidant than lighter beers.

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