Drinking beer could be good for your gut and immune system, according to the latest research.

Scientists found drinking pints in moderation could be better for some aspects of your health than abstaining all together.

The study, by the Dalian Medical University in China, claims polyphenols, fibre and ethanol in beer are the key ingredients to supercharging your immune system, as several ingredients induce the growth of bacteria that benefits the gut.

Researchers suggest beer, when drunk in moderation, is more beneficial to the gut than the probiotics – live bacteria and yeasts which are believed to have health benefits – found in yoghurt and cheese.

The probiotic microorganisms are thought to help restore the natural balance in your gut when it has been disrupted by an illness and fight off any remaining bad bacteria, according to the NHS. 

The study’s authors wrote: “As a long-established fermented beverage, beer is rich in many essential amino acids, vitamins, trace elements, and bioactive substances that are involved in the regulation of many human physiological functions.”