Regular Beer Light Beer Bud Light Michelob Ultra Water 327.4g* 335.8g 336.3g 337.7g Calories 153* 103 110 96 Alcohol 13.9g* 11.0g 11.7g 11.3g Protein 1.6g* 0.9g 0.9g 0.6g Carbohydrate 12.6g* 5.8g 6.6g 2.6g Fat 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g Cholesterol 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g Calcium 14mg 14mg 11mg 14mg Magnesium 21mg 18mg 25mg 14mg Phosphorous 50mg 42mg 39mg 28mg Potassium 96mg 74mg 92mg 60mg Sodium 14mg 14mg 11mg 11mg Niacin 2mg 1mg N/A** N/A** Folate 21mcg 21mcg N/A** N/A**



*Include ales, lagers, porters, premium beers and stouts. All other nutrients based on lager samples.

**Not available

Common Questions

The first question on many people's minds concerns how beer compares to other alcoholic drinks like red wine or distilled spirits. The comparison is not that easy to make. In the first place, the main beneficial element that was discovered in red wine is resveratrol, a powerful anti-oxidant. Beer doesn’t contain any resveratrol, but the presence of folate in beer helps lower the risk of heart disease when consumed in moderation.﻿﻿ Beer also reduces blood clots and it has been shown to improve mental function in women as well as increasing bone density.

Now, let’s look at the chart again; see the fat and cholesterol levels? It might come as a surprise to those that associate beer drinking with being overweight but there isn’t a trace of fat in beer. Brewers and beer connoisseurs have known this for quite a while. Even the slightest traces of fat or oil in beer can destroy many of the things that we love about our favorite ales and lagers. That beautiful, creamy head on top of a glass of good beer could never exist. Also, the delicate mouthfeel of many beers would be ruined.

If there’s no fat, then where does the beer belly come from? Turns out it has less to do with drinking a beer and more about the customs of beer drinking. Think about bar foods. They are usually salty, greasy, fat-laden stuff, right? Plus, drinking a few beers can make even the most energetic of us a bit lethargic. It’s no surprise that inactivity can add to an expanding waistline. But a beer, all by itself, won’t significantly affect your weight one way or another.

Light Beers

If beer has no fat and moderate consumption doesn’t contribute to weight gain, then what’s light about “light” beers? Are they better for you? There’s nothing significantly different between light and regular beers except a slightly lower calorie count. If you’re trying to lose weight and feel compelled to have a beer, the light beer might be your choice.

Conclusion

So, what’s the bottom line? There might not be a six-pack in your six-pack but there doesn’t have to be a gut, either. One beer a day is good for you. Several beers each day is not. The key to health with ​beer drinking is to limit your consumption to one beer each day.