We Filipinos love our beer.

Think about it, how many beer ads are on loop on any given day? How many billboards do you see advertising the sweet, sweet nectar? A lot, that’s how many.

We take pride in our beer, and proudly proclaim it as one of the best in Asia, the world even. We love our beer so much that we’re the 3rd heaviest drinkers in the world, second only to South Koreans and Russians. Yeah! Pinoy pride!

There are actually good reasons to drink beer–not that you need convincing–when consumed in moderation.

A recent study conducted by the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrucke and Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden stated that while excess beer drinking can lead to weight gain, it doesn’t necessarily cause the so-called “beer belly.” This #dadbod trait actually has more to do with genetics that the frothy, amber drink.

A study showed that moderate beer drinking can help reduce the risk of kidney stones by 40%. You do NOT want kidney stones.

According to a new study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, certain compounds in a beer’s hops may prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.  Hops contain xanthohumol, a naturally-occurring chemical that has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties that can help stave off the development of such neurodegenerative ailments.

In a surprising discovery, drinking beers in moderation can actually help keep your body in tip-top shape. A study by the Oregon Health and Science University says that beer’s antioxidants help fight off infections.

However, the same study shows that excess drinking can do more harm to our immune system.

According to the Natural Medicine Journal, beer drinking can be associated with increase in bone density. Beer is a rich source of bioavailable silicon, an important element in our skeletal structure.

Again, moderation is key. Scientists recommend that women take no more than one beer a day, while men should stick to two beers a day.

Multiple studies have shown that moderate beer consumption can be good for the heart. It raises your HDL or “good” cholesterol , lowers blood pressure and risk of heart disease, and it can also help prevent the damage caused by LDL or “bad” cholesterol (such as atherosclerosis).

Going back to drinking in moderation, a Swedish study showed that women who drank one or two beers a day developed a lower risk for type-2 diabetes. Meanwhile, people who never drank or drank too much developed a higher risk of contracting the disease.

Beer is a good source of B Vitamins. These vitamins can help ease stress, relieve symptoms of PMS, reduce risk of heart disease, aid in the jobs of red blood cells and iron, and much more.

Dark beers pack the most nutritional value compared to its counterparts. A standard serving has more than a gram of fiber, which is essential for a healthy diet.

A study has also shown that dark beer is rich in iron. Why is iron important? Iron helps in circulating oxygen to the different parts of your body. If your iron intake is low, you’ll end up feeling sluggish, weak and more.

Cheers everyone!

How about you guys? Got any reason to drink or hate beer? Sound off in the comments section!