Preface. Acknowledgements. 1 Beer as Part of the Diet. Beer: a vice or a staple part of the diet? Getting beer into perspective. What is moderation? But what about addiction? Impacts on behaviour. 2 Beer Through History. Brewing travels west. Restraining excess.

Religious origins. Maintaining standards. Beer: a nutritious dish for the whole family. Temperance pressures. Towards prohibition. 3 The Basics of Malting and Brewing in Relation to Product Safety and Wholesomeness. Chemical beer? Basic outlines of malting and brewing. Styles of beer.

The chemistry of beer. 4 The Basics of Human Nutrition. Energy. Phytonutrients. Carbohydrate, fat and protein. Vitamins. Minerals. Fibre.

Water. Balance. 5 The Composition of Beer in Relation to Nutrition and Health. Energy. Carbohydrate, fat and protein. Water. Vitamins. Minerals.

Fibre. Comparison of beer with other foodstuffs for nutrient value. Potentially deleterious components of beer. Beer as a "treat". 6 The Impact of Alcohol on Health. The metabolism of ethanol. Direct and indirect impacts. The heart and circulatory system.

The liver and the digestive system. The Reproductive system. Brain and cognitive function. Kidney and urinary tract. Age. Cancer. Allergy. The common cold.

7 Conclusion. References. Index.