Have you ever heard that Guinness is a beer that can replace a meal? That this Irish beer is so calorific that it can settle your stomach for hours? When it comes to Guinness, prejudices die hard. And of course it’s time to set the record straight!
A pint of Guinness – © Mountain Ash Studio
Guinness is good for you! This is the slogan chanted for decades by the Dublin brewery, which has been brewing its famous stout since 1759. But what is it really? Is this just a marketing strategy, or is there some truth to it?
Of course, a beer is still a beer: alcohol abuse is still dangerous for your health, and there’s no question of stating the obvious. It goes without saying that drinking beer, no matter how Irish, is not good for your health.
However, nutritional experts agree: no, Guinness is no more calorific than any other beer. Surprisingly, it’s even lighter than competing beers, with 210 calories per pint!
Forget the preconceived notion that Guinness is a heavy, calorie-laden substitute for a proper meal. No, its smooth cream won’t make you gain 3 kilos from the first pint!
When you look at the composition of a pint of Guinness, you quickly realize that Ireland’s most famous beer is just like any other, tasty and refreshing, and won’t upset your stomach!
The icing on the cake is that it is even lower in carbohydrates and alcohol than other beers in the same segment.
To better understand the contents of a 568 ml pint of Guinness, let’s take a look at its nutritional composition:
This makes it a rather low-calorie, low-alcohol beer.
However, it remains rich in nutrients: it is said to be particularly rich in iron. One pint would contain almost 4% of the recommended daily intake of iron. An asset for your health, as iron is precious for the proper functioning of the immune system.
Guinness is also an excellent source of antioxidants. These are essential elements in the fight against inflammation.
Finally, Guinness contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that are important for overall health and well-being, including vitamin B6.
So where do these untruths about Guinness come from? The legend is based on a number of factors.
Starting with the color of the beer. Its dark color (which is ruby, not black, as most uninitiated people think) would support the idea that Guinness is heavier than other beers.
However, this color is simply the result of the beans being heavily roasted. A process that adds notes of caramel, chocolate and coffee to the final beverage!
Another factor contributing to the preconceived notion of a heavy Guinness is the gas used in the beverage. The Irish drink is said to use nitrogen, resulting in extremely fine bubbles. However, the final result may suggest that the beer will be heavier… when in fact the opposite is true!
Finally, the creamy, intensely unctuous cap, which leaves a thick trace above your upper lip, maintains the myth of a heavy beer. But it’s not: the creamy layer of absolute white is both generous and light. A perfect balance for stout lovers!
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.
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