What is the Healthiest Brand of Beer to Drink?

Recent studies suggest that moderate beer consumption can offer some benefits, but selecting the right brand is key. The healthiest brand of beer often comes down to individual priorities, such as managing calories, carbs, or alcohol intake, rather than a single 'best' option.

Quick Summary

This guide explores healthier beer choices by analyzing nutritional data for various brands, focusing on factors like low calories, low carbs, and non-alcoholic options. It provides a comprehensive comparison to help drinkers make informed decisions based on their dietary goals and health preferences.

Key Points

• No Single 'Healthiest' Brand: The healthiest choice depends on your specific health goals, such as low calories, low carbs, or no alcohol.

• Look for Low Calories and Carbs: Brands like Budweiser Select 55 (55 calories), Corona Premier (90 calories), and Michelob Ultra (95 calories) are excellent for weight management.

• Consider Non-Alcoholic (NA) Options: For minimal calories and zero alcohol, non-alcoholic beers like Athletic Brewing Co. Lite (25 calories) and Heineken 0.0 (69 calories) are top contenders.

• Choose Stouts for Gut Health: Guinness and unfiltered ales contain higher levels of polyphenols and yeast, which may offer gut health benefits when consumed in moderation.

• Read the Label: Always check the calories, carbs, and ABV on the label to make an informed choice based on your dietary needs.

• Moderation is Paramount: Regardless of the brand, limiting consumption to the recommended guidelines (up to 2 drinks for men, 1 for women) is the most critical factor for overall health.

Determining what is the healthiest brand of beer to drink involves prioritizing what aspect of health is most important to you. This could mean minimizing calories and carbs for weight management, reducing alcohol content, or exploring options that may support gut health. This guide examines different beer types based on these factors.

Low-Calorie and Low-Carb Options

Beers with lower calories and carbohydrates are often sought for weight management. Reducing alcohol and residual sugars helps cut down on 'empty calories'.

• Low-calorie and low-carb options include Budweiser Select 55 (55 calories, 1.9g carbs), Michelob Ultra (95 calories, 2.6g carbs), and Corona Premier (90 calories, 2.6g carbs).
• For IPA fans, Lagunitas Daytime IPA has 98 calories and 3g carbs.

Non-Alcoholic Options

The non-alcoholic (NA) beer market provides beer taste without the high calorie or carb count.

• Athletic Brewing Co. Lite is a low-calorie NA choice at 25 calories.
• Heineken 0.0 offers a familiar flavor with 69 calories.
• Lagunitas IPNA is an NA IPA with 80 calories.

Potential Gut Health Benefits

Some beers, particularly darker, less filtered ales and certain Belgian styles, may benefit gut health due to polyphenols and yeast strains.

• Guinness Draught contains polyphenols and is around 125 calories.
• Hoegaarden undergoes secondary fermentation, retaining potential microbes.
• Unfiltered craft ales may contain more beneficial compounds than filtered lagers.

Comparison Table: Healthier Beer Options

A comparison of healthier beer options based on category, calories, carbs, ABV, and key benefit can be found on {Link: GetLabTest website https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

How to Choose the Right "Healthy" Beer

1. Define Your Priority: Identify if your focus is weight loss (calories, carbs), avoiding alcohol (NA), or potential gut health (unfiltered, stouts).
2. Read Labels: Check nutritional information for serving size, calories, carbs, and ABV.
3. Moderation is Key: Limiting consumption is crucial for health. Guidelines suggest up to two drinks daily for men and one for women.
4. Consider Organic: Organic options like those from Peak Organic Brewing are made without synthetic pesticides.
5. Look for Unfiltered: Less filtered beers may retain more natural compounds.

Conclusion

No single beer brand is universally the "healthiest"; it depends on individual health goals. Options exist for low calories/carbs (e.g., Budweiser Select 55, Michelob Ultra), non-alcoholic preferences (e.g., Athletic Brewing Co. Lite), and potential gut health benefits (e.g., Guinness, unfiltered ales). Moderation remains the most critical factor for enjoying beer as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Here is a useful guide from Kaiser Permanente on practicing moderation when drinking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lowest-calorie beer brand?

Budweiser Select 55 is one of the lowest-calorie beers available, with only 55 calories per 12 oz serving.

Are non-alcoholic beers truly healthier?

Yes, non-alcoholic (NA) beers are generally healthier as they have significantly fewer calories and eliminate alcohol, which has various negative health impacts in excess.

Which beer is best for a low-carb diet like keto?

Michelob Ultra (2.6g carbs) and Corona Premier (2.6g carbs) are common keto-friendly picks due to their very low carbohydrate content.

Is Guinness a healthy beer despite being a dark stout?

While dark, Guinness Draught is surprisingly low in calories (125 per 12 oz) compared to many craft beers and contains polyphenols that may be beneficial for gut health.

Are gluten-free beers healthier than regular beer?

For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, gluten-free beer is the healthier choice. For others, the nutritional profile is similar to regular beer, though some report less bloating.

What role does ABV play in a beer's healthiness?

A lower ABV means less alcohol, which in turn means fewer calories. Choosing a beer with an ABV under 5% is a good strategy for a healthier option.

Can drinking beer help with weight loss?

Moderation is key. While no beer aids in weight loss directly, choosing low-calorie, low-carb options like Budweiser Select 55 or Michelob Ultra can help you manage your calorie intake.