Beer is actually good for you, according to science

Looking to justify a few pints later tonight?

You might be in luck; a recent study published in The American Journal of the Modern Sciences came to the surprising conclusion that beer actually has more health benefits than we might think.

The South Morning China Postneatly summarised its findings: the liquid nectar is filled with antioxidants and contains more protein and B vitamins than wine, which is often touted as the most ‘beneficial’ alcoholic drink.

Beer can even reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease – as long as you don't overdo it, of course.

Crucially, the study only applies to ‘moderate drinking’, which means that one or two pints might be fine, but ten or twelve are more tricky to justify. Still, the researchers advise that doctors might want to relax their occasionally harsh stance on drinking:

[Doctors] should be aware of the growing evidence supporting the nutritional and health benefits of moderate consumption of alcohol as a healthy lifestyle.

This isn't the first time that research has shown Britain's favourite drink might actually do our health some good; past studies have argued that moderate consumption of beer can boost your creativity, reduce your risk of diabetes and it's even been claimed that it can rehydrate you more effectively than water.

Not all results were so surprising, though – Spanish researchers found that consumption of beer made participants feel funnier, more attractive and more intelligent.

An instant (if perhaps misguided) confidence boost; what's not to love?

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