Not only does beer taste good, there are health benefits associated with it, too: pro

Beer. It may have a somewhat negative reputation – but there are, in fact, health benefits associated with the drink.

Not only does beer taste good, it has compounds that can help a person feel good, too.

“Actually, beer isn’t really bad when enjoyed in moderation,” Tony Torgerud told Fox News Digital.

MEAD, A LIQUOR BETTER KNOWN AS GUM WINE, ‘HISTORY IN A GLASS’

Torgerud is the CEO of APRU and an expert on botanical brewing. He leads the team at Lena Brewing, a microbrewery in Lena, Illinois.

In particular, he said, craft beers have additional health benefits compared to “traditional big-production beers.”

Craft beer, he said, “contains more phenolic compounds,” he said, as craft beers use “special ingredients like fruits and plant compounds.”

“These natural compounds, when consumed in moderation, have been linked to health benefits, such as antioxidant effects that can help reduce inflammation and support heart health,” he said.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFE NEWSLETTER

In general, dark beer has more antioxidants. (Stock)

Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body, which can reduce the risk of many diseases, including some cancers, says the health website WebMD.

Dark beer has more antioxidants, says the same website.

The growth of the craft beer industry has led to a wider variety of beers, Torgerud said. Some of these – including low-carb, low-alcohol, and non-alcoholic – can be considered “healthy” options, he said.

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEWS PROGRAM

Now, says Torgerud, more brewers are brewing low-alcohol, low-carb, and non-alcohol beer varieties. (Stock)

“Many of the new beers coming to the market are alcohol-free and some are even infused with botanicals such as cannabis and other natural botanical ingredients that give the consumer an alternative,” said Torgerud.

Any beverage, he said, can serve as an “effective delivery system” for these compounds.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

“The human body is made of 60% water,” said Torgerud. “Beer is very popular, and when paired with some botanicals, it can be a ‘healthy alternative.’