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
Thinking about alcohol: meta-analysis explores the relationship between alcohol consumption and the progression of dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment
Alcohol consumption is indisputably harmful to the developing brain, but what about the aging brain? Researchers investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption in people with mild cognitive impairment and people who progress to dementia. The meta-analysis, published in the journal of Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, shows an increased risk of dementia progression for heavy alcohol consumption, but no association for light to moderate drinking.
Meta-analysis finds no association between alcohol consumption and formation of blood clots in veins
Low to moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a decreased risk in cardiovascular diseases. But there is still limited research towards the relation between alcohol consumption and the risk of blood clot formation in veins, also called venous thromboembolism. A recently published meta-analysis, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, is the first one looking at this relation. Results suggest that there is no association between the two.
The cardiovascular effects of beer: a meta-analysis looking at experimental evidence
A lot of research has already been done towards the relation between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease, and many studies – both epidemiological and experimental – find evidence for a possible protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption. But is this the case for all alcoholic beverages? For the first time, a meta-analysis, published in PLoS ONE, only looks at experimental studies with beer consumption. Results indicate improvement in vascular elasticity and the authors conclude that beneficial effect of beer on endothelial function is likely.
Does alcohol consumption influence cognition? A critical meta-analysis
A recent meta-analysis, published in the scientific journal Systematic Reviews, did a thorough analysis on the relation between alcohol consumption and cognition. Results show slightly better cognition among women who drink in moderation compared to those who currently do not drink. However, the authors emphasize that it is unknown whether this is due to the alcohol itself or due to limitations in study designs.
Research grant € 5,000
The Dutch Beer Institute yearly offers a grant of € 5,000 to support a research project. This project should focus on biomedical, nutritional or (psycho-)social aspects of responsible alcohol consumption, specifically taking into account (non-alcoholic) beer.
What is the link between moderate alcohol consumption and dementia?
Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of dementia. But meta-analyses show that the association between alcohol consumption and dementia is not linear, which suggests a possible protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption. A recently published review in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment argues that the epidemiological studies are not sufficient to verify a protective effect of alcohol on dementia development. But there are some possible physiological explanations.
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.
