Study: Beer just as healthy as wine

ORLANDO, Fla., June 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. scientist says contrary to popular opinion, beer is as healthy -- if not more healthy -- than wine.

Charles Bamforth, chairman of the food science department at the University of California-Davis and an Anheuser-Busch endowed professor, says beer contains valuable B vitamins, such as B12, folic acid and niacin, as well as antioxidants, such as polyphenols and ferulic acid.

Bamforth notes beer also has soluble fiber, which is good for digestion, and the active ingredient in alcohol -- whether from beer or wine -- helps counter blockage of the arteries.

After polling 325 men and women visiting U.S. breweries, Bamforth found the nutritional understanding of people about beer was largely in error.

When asked what the healthiest alcoholic beverage is, drinkers put red wine followed by white wine at the top of the list. Then came light beer, light-colored beer and then dark-beer. Actually, said Bamforth, there's little difference health-wise between any of them.

He presented his research this week during the annual meeting of the Chicago-headquartered Institute of Food Technologists in Orlando, Fla.