The Brewers of Belgium are proud of the range and quality of their beers, which include ales, stouts, lagers, wheat beers, fruit beers etc. Beer is made from wholesome ingredients, malted barley, hops, yeast and water. All these are natural materials, which contribute to a healthy, balanced diet. Beer is 93% water and is a thirst-quenching long drink, which is relatively low in alcohol. Moderate consumption of beer can provide essential vitamins and minerals. It is high in potassium and low in sodium – the right balance for healthy (low) blood pressure. Like bread, which is also made from cereal, beer is an excellent source of vitamins, which are essential for life. Indeed the malting (or sprouting) process actually increases the nutritional value of the cereals used to make beer. In particular beer is rich in the B type vitamins for example niacin, riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6) and folate (B9). It is low in calcium and is rich in magnesium, which may help to protect against gallstones and kidney stone formation. This may be one reason why daily consumption of a glass of beer has been shown to reduce the risk of kidney stones by 40%. People who drink beer moderately are protected from the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is known to cause the majority of stomach ulcers and may be a risk factor for stomach cancer. Beer is also a source of soluble fibre, which is derived from the cell walls of barley. Half a litre of beer contains an average of 10% of the recommended daily intake of soluble fibre and some beers can provide up to 30%. Other than keeping you regular, this has a further benefit by slowing down the digestion and absorption of food and reducing cholesterol levels which may help to reduce the risk of heart disease.