Beer Belly Myth: Study claims beer isn't tied to weight gain, has health benefits

The Telegraph reports that nutritionist Dr. Kathryn O'Sullivan recently authored the study, titled "Beer & Calories; A Scientific Review," on behalf of the beer industry. She found that there's no conclusive scientific evidence that suggests beer causes weight gain.

Beer has fewer calories by volume than wine, spirits and even orange juice. This is true, but in the case of wine and spirits, the drinker usually must consume a greater volume of beer for the same amount of alcohol. Regardless, O'Sullivan stressed that when consumed within reason, beer has health benefits.

"Enjoyed in moderation, beer, like wine, can provide many essential vitamins and minerals and moderate consumption may also protect against many conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes," she told the publication.

We were skeptical, but O'Sullivan's claim is backed up by previous research suggesting that beer decreases the drinker's chance of developing heart disease and diabetes. Another study even suggests that the dietary silicon in beer helps prevent osteoporosis in women.

Still unconvinced, The Huffington Post reached out to New York University's Dr. Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health.

"[B]eer definitely has calories and if consumed in excess will put pounds on drinkers," Nestle explained in an email. "Excessive alcohol intake raises the risk for alcoholic liver disease and beer can be just as much as of a cause as any other kind of alcohol. But most beer bellies are just due to excessive calories from any source, beer among them."