Infographic: Basics of Beer
Beer is a fermented beverage with a relatively low (or no) alcohol percentage, whose natural ingredients contain small amounts of valuable nutrients, minerals and vitamins.
Explanimation: Beer and nutrients
Beer is typically a low strength, fermented alcoholic beverage. It is made from a common pallet of ingredients, rooted in nature.
Explanimation: Beer and cardiovascular health
The best way to look after your heart is to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle. For healthy adults, moderate beer consumption can be part of this balanced way of living.
Infographic: Type 2 Diabetes
Moderate beer consumption can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Booklet: Beer and Health – Moderate Consumption as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle
Beer has been a staple part of European diets for thousands of years, and through the ages it has become deeply ingrained in our traditions and culture.
9th European Beer and Health Symposium
24th September 2019, Brussels
Do you want to find out and discuss the latest insights regarding the health effects of moderate alcohol/beer consumption? Registration for the 9th European Beer and Health Symposium is now open! The symposium will take place on Tuesday the 24th of September 2019 in the heart of Brussels.
Latest Updates

One third less rheumatoid arthritis cases with certain lifestyle changes: a meta-analysis
A recent meta-analysis calculates that about one third of rheumatoid arthritis cases in the US could be avoided by changing three lifestyle factors: smoking, overweight and alcohol consumption. Especially smoking and overweight increase the risk of arthritis. Alcohol consumption on the other hand, is associated with a lower risk. Eight percent of the cases of arthritis that could be avoided are associated with abstention or low alcohol consumption.

Risk factors of chronic kidney disease: two meta-analyses
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects a large percentage of the population: around 10% of the adults worldwide. Two recently published meta-analyses dive into possible causes of this disease. Results show that a Western diet with high intakes of red and processed meats, refined grains, and sweets is associated with an increased risk of CKD. On the other hand, both studies find a decreased risk of CKD with alcohol consumption. Other lifestyle factors that are associated with a lower risk are physical activity and non-smoking.

Do genes play a role in the risk of stomach cancer due to alcohol? A meta-analysis
Drinkers that cannot efficiently breakdown alcohol due to a genetic mutation have a higher risk of stomach cancer. That is the conclusion of a recently published meta-analysis. The influence of the genetic mutation on the risk of stomach cancer is higher for moderate and heavy drinkers compared to non to rare drinkers.

Should you abstain from alcohol when getting a Covid-19 vaccination?
Some experts recommend people to abstain from alcohol around the time of their Covid-19 vaccination. They argue that alcohol consumption lowers the immune response. Scientific literature shows that excessive alcohol consumption does indeed lower the immune response, which supports the advice to avoid excessive drinking in general, especially around the time of vaccination. However, low alcohol consumption does not seem to have a negative effect on the immune system. Moderation, also around the time of COVID-19 vaccination, remains key.

Call for papers – Publication Award of €1,000
For the very first time, the Beer and Health Initiative offers a Publication Award of €1,000 for the best, most remarkable publication of the year focusing on moderate beer (or alcohol) consumption. Deadline of application is 31 March 2021.

Does reducing alcohol consumption help control hypertension? A Cochrane review
Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with hypertension. Does that mean lowering alcohol consumption can help decrease blood pressure? A recent Cochrane review looked at all the randomized controlled trials on this topic, but only found one that was of sufficient quality. The authors conclude that lowering alcohol consumption has no significant effect on blood pressure. However, the evidence is of very low quality because the results are only based on one study.
Beer and Health - Moderate Consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle – 5th edition
Beer and Health Moderate Consumption as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle 5th Edition 2016 Click here to download the publication.
Basics on beer and health
This booklet summarises the relevant scientific literature on moderate beer consumption in relation to health, but there are some aspects you have to take into consideration while reading it. Click here to access the content
Beer and Health: Making up the Balance
Beer is made from natural ingredients and has relatively low (or zero) alcohol content compared to most other alcoholic beverages. read more …

About Beer and Health
Beer and Health gathers and presents the latest scientific research on the link between moderate beer consumption and health. And it builds upon a long tradition of experts coming together at the European Beer and Health Symposium, which has been organised practically every two or three years since 1999.