Craving a cold beer but you’re on a diet? Or perhaps you fear that beer is bad for health?

Believe it or not, beer is good for your figure! Made with all natural ingredients, it has fewer calories than most beverages.

This delicious drink can prevent heart disease and slow cognitive decline. It’s also an excellent source of antioxidants that stop tumor growth. According to a study conducted on 80,000 people, beer protects against stroke and boosts cardiovascular health. Moreover, it increases longevity and keeps your brain sharp.

A beer a day may just keep the doctor away. Just make sure you don’t go overboard! Moderation is the key.

Eager to find out more? Here are five interesting facts all about beer:

1. Beer Keeps You Slim

This refreshing beverage is just as low in calories as skim milk. For instance, there are just 125 calories in 12 ounces of Guinness. That’s less than coke, whole milk, and orange juice.

Certain beer varieties, such as sour beer, contain probiotics. These compounds balance gut flora and promote the growth of healthy bacteria.

Gut health plays a key role in weight loss. The good bacteria living in your GI tract break down food and regulate your metabolism.

On top of that, you can always opt for low-carb beer, which fits into any diet. Just one glass will fill you up and quench your thirst while satisfying your taste buds.

2. Beer Keeps Your Brain Sharp

Beer isn’t good just for your waistline but your brain too. Moderate drinkers are 23 percent less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

This beverage slows cognitive decline and protects against neurodegenerative disorders. Other studies show that beer may improve memory and ward off depression.

To reap the benefits, stick to one or two servings a day.

3. Russia Classified Beer as Alcohol in 2013

Surprisingly, beer wasn’t considered alcohol in Russia until recently.

In 2011, President Dmitry Medvedev classified this beverage as alcohol. The law took effect two years later.

A decade ago, it wasn’t unusual to see teens swigging on bottles of booze on the street. Back then, any beverage with less than 10 percent alcohol was classified as a soft drink.

4. Beer and Marijuana Are Related

So, you think you know all about beer?

Only a few people are aware that their favorite drink is related to cannabis.

The hops used in beer belong to the same family as marijuana. This explains why they’re so similar in taste and smell.

Additionally, they contain similar molecules, such as terpenoids and terpenes. These compounds give cannabis its psychoactive properties and make beer bitter.

5. Freezing Makes Beer Stronger

Want a stronger beer? Freeze it!

This may come up as a surprise, but freezing beer increases its alcohol content. There’s even a name for it: Eisbier (Ice Beer).

All you need to do is to put beer in a food freezer and leave it there for a few hours. Once frozen, remove the ice crystals and enjoy it!

Do You Really Know All About Beer?

No matter how much you love beer, it’s virtually impossible to know everything about it.

Researchers are still studying its health benefits. Furthermore, beer comes in over 400 different varieties, from pale ale to stout.

What’s your favorite beer? How would you describe it? Share your preferences below!