Beer drinkers have better mental and physical health than teetotallers and ex-drinkers, scientists have found.

Enjoying a pint or two sees people rate their levels of health and happiness more highly, according to a team at the University of Murcia in Spain.

The researchers analysed data from 33,185 respondents to the country’s 2012 and 2017 National Health Surveys to see how beer consumption related to self-assessed health. 

The study found moderate drinkers enjoyed a higher rate of good physical health, rating it at 80 per cent compared to half of those who abstain from alcohol.

Meanwhile 90 per cent regarded their mental health as being ‘good’, with non-drinkers rating it at 80 per cent, The Sun reports.

Enjoying a pint or two sees people rate their levels of health and happiness more highly, according to a team at the University of Murcia in Spain

While heavier drinkers rated their health better, experts warned of a ‘double-edged habit’ as they ate more fast food and smoked more.

Those partial to a drink were also half as likely to suffer ‘physical limitations’ in their daily lives than those who weren’t — 15 per cent compared to 30 per cent.

But while drinkers were also more likely to exercise, they were found to eat less fruit and veg than non-drinkers.

One of the study’s authors, Professor Ernesto De la Cruz-Sánchez said: ‘Beer consumption shows better indicators of physical, mental and emotional health than in abstainers and ex-drinkers. 

‘Research has suggested low doses of alcohol can improve heart health and the immune system.’ 

The study also found that men were more likely to identify as moderate and heavy beer drinkers while women were more likely to be abstainers and occasional drinkers.

It also highlighted that beer, the most popular alcoholic beverage in the world, usually has a relatively low alcohol content.

One of the study’s authors, Professor Ernesto De la Cruz-Sánchez said: ‘Beer consumption shows better indicators of physical, mental and emotional health than in abstainers’

And although the findings might appear to be a cause for celebration for many, the high calorie content in pints has recently seen calls from the Shadow Health Secretary to make people more aware of what they’re consuming.

Four pints of BrewDog Punk IPA can deliver half a day’s worth of calories, MailOnline found recently in a survey of the worst offending beers.

Another recent study which reviewed the findings of 107 alcohol health surveys also found that many were flawed.

The review authors say the studies included have multiple flaws, and they would still advise that moderate amounts of alcohol carry small risks for serious diseases such as cancer. 

Moderate drinking is often defined by two standard glass of alcohol a day for women and three glasses for men.