Is Guinness really good for you?
Medically, possibly. Its alcohol is low enough to have a relaxing effect. The bottle-conditioned product may produce a mild laxative effect due to the live yeast. Too many bottles of the bottle-conditioned product can have an extreme laxative and diuretic effect, which is not good for you.
Lovely day for a GuinnessThere is medical folklore about Guinness and stout, in general. "In some countries, stout is seen as an aphrodisiac, or as a beneficial bath for newborn babies." (MJBC p 177) Since most research indicates the aphrodisiac effects are primarily psychological, there may be truth to the former. Too many may have an adverse affect on performance, however.
Of course, if you feel as good as I do after enjoying and Guinness, then there is no question that it is good for you!
But isn't Guinness high in calories?
Not especially. "Guinness is not notably high in calories..." (MJBC, p 177) This refers to the draught, bottle-conditioned and draught flow (tm) product, which are fairly low in alcohol. Calories in beers come from the alcohol and the residual sugars. The higher the alcohol, the higher the caloric content.
Where did the "Guinness is Good for You" come from?
Guinness's advertising agency (S. H. Benson) did some market research during the 1920's to find our what people liked about Guinness. People responded that they felt good when they had their pint and the slogan was born. The slogan is still used in some countries (notably in Africa) that do not regulate advertising claims as zealously as the U.K. and North America. Some have even posted that the advertising features athletes and imply that there athleticism can be attributed to Guinness.
Guinness has been dispensed in hospitals, correct?
Yes. In England, post-operative patients used to be given Guinness, as were blood donors. Sadly, this is no longer the case in England. In Ireland, Guinness is still made available to blood donors and stomach and intestinal post-operative patients. Guinness is known to be high in iron content.
What about the old wives tale about nursing mothers drinking Guinness?
Current medical research suggests that pregnant women and nursing mothers should totally abstain from any form of alcoholic beverage. In pregnancy, it can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, characterized by slow development. Alcohol does pass in the mother's milk, so nursing mother's should avoid Guinness and any other form of alcohol. I have received numerous comments from readers that I am being overly cautious and that Guinness is still given to nursing mothers in Ireland and brown ale to mothers in Belgium
Guinness is high in vitamin G, isn't it?
There is no vitamin G! However, the folklore surrounding Guinness has often lead to it being called vitamin G. Recommended Daily Allowance: 3 pints a day.