>>and I think it is unsurprising that exactly that beer was used in the study not comparing beer to water but showing possible benefits as well as reasons: (Warning: Dunno how much test setup and/or statistics were tweaked)
>>http://www.aerztezeitung.de/medizin/krankheiten/atemwegskrankheiten/article/664578/alkoholfreies-bier-bringt-immunzellen-marathon-laeufern-trab.html
>>based on
>>http://www.bemagic-studie.de/
...
>Let's just say I do not believe studies sponsored by German breweries. Any more than I believe "scientific" studies sponsored by American industry.

That I am a bit sceptical myself is clear. OTOH I think that some people might benefit more from water, others more from alc-free beer and the biggest group is possibly open for placebo effects ;-) Listening to your body is still a god way to decide.