Beer for battling the bulge

OFF THE WIRE
Beer, Not Exercise, Best For Battling The Bulge
Updated: Tuesday, 03 Aug 2010, 7:24 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 03 Aug 2010, 7:24 PM CDT

(NewsCore) - Swapping a daily glass of wine for a beer could help you save as many calories as you would by taking a 30-minute jog, a U.K.-based consumer group claimed Tuesday.

The consumer group Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) launched an attack on the belief that beer causes drinkers to become overweight.

The group claimed Tuesday that beer's reputation for being fattening was unfounded.

"For years, beer has been blighted by a reputation for being more fattening than other alcoholic drinks, when in reality the exact opposite is true," beer expert Prof. Charlie Bamforth said. "The major source of calories in any alcoholic drink is the alcohol itself, and because beer is the drinks category with the lowest average alcohol content, it is also lowest in calories -- so for someone looking to lose weight, swapping their glass of wine for a beer every day would ... cut out more calories than are burned off during a typical 30-minute jog."

The group said research showed 34 percent of men and 29 percent of women incorrectly believe that beer had more calories than other alcoholic drinks.

"As a low-alcohol drink, beer can supplement a healthy lifestyle if consumed in a responsible manner," said CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner.

CAMRA represents the beer industry across Europe.