Portuguese gym-goers urged to drink beer

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LISBON (AFP) - Portuguese gym-goers are being urged to drink beer as part of a healthy diet in a campaign launched by the nation's main association of producers of the alcoholic beverage.

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A total of 20,000 fliers outlining the health benefits of drinking up to two bottles of beer per day will be handed out to patrons arriving at gyms in Lisbon and Oporto, the nation's second-largest city, by Friday, according to the Portuguese Association of Beer Producers.

The goal is to "draw attention to some less well-known aspects of beer, such as its agricultural origins, its nutritional value and health benefits when drunk in moderation and responsibly", it said in a statement.

The fliers, which feature a smiling young woman jumping rope beside an image of a large glass of beer, point out that a 200 milliter (six fluid ounce) glass of beer has less calories than a quarter litre (quarter pint) cup of sugarless orange juice or a similar sized cup of milk.

"Forget the myth of the 'beer gut' because it is just that: a myth," it reads.

It adds that beer is a good source of magnesium and fibre and helps prevent diabetes, dementia, cholesterol and osteoporosis.

Portugal has one of the world's highest rates of alcohol consumption per capita, although the bulk of it is downed in the form of wine.

Portuguese breweries sold 740 million litres of beer worth 884 million euros (1.1 billion dollars) last year, a 3.6 percent increase over the previous year, according to the association of beer makers.

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