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
Meta-analysis on alcohol consumption and the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer
Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of certain cancer types, including cancers of the head and neck. A meta-analysis, published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, focussed solely on nasopharyngeal cancer and found that alcohol consumption is indeed associated with increased risk. However, it also found that consuming less than 7 drinks a week might decrease the risk. Nevertheless, these results should be handled very carefully, because many factors could have influenced this association.
Meta-analysis investigates hypothesis that alcohol reduces stress reaction
Throughout history, there is a belief that alcohol consumption can reduce the emotional response in a stressful situation. But is that scientifically proven? A recent meta-analysis, published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, looked at more than 50 experiments and indeed found some evidence that alcohol reduces the emotional response to a stressor. However, many questions remain.
Moderate alcohol consumption: one of the dietary factors that reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
Today is World Diabetes Day; the moment to reflect on the evidence on how to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes with our diet. Many studies have looked at the role of diet on developing type 2 diabetes, but a lot of uncertainty remains. A recent umbrella review, published in the BMJ, collected all the meta-analyses on diet and diabetes, and estimated the quality of the evidence. They looked at many factors, but the evidence for a risk-reduction was only of high quality for whole grains, cereal fibre and moderate alcohol consumption. There is also high-quality evidence that consuming red meat, processed meat, bacon, and sugary drinks increases the risk.
Meta-analysis: no negative effect of moderate alcohol consumption on colorectal cancer survival
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There seems to be a J-shaped relation between alcohol consumption and the development of colorectal cancer: heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk, but moderate alcohol consumption might cause a slight decrease. But what about the effect on cancer survival? According to a recent meta-analysis, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, moderate alcohol consumption might also be associated with an increased survival chance.
Does moderate alcohol consumption decrease risk of kidney damage?
Most of the alcohol we consume is broken down by the liver, but around five percent leaves the body via breath, sweat or urine. The fact that alcohol leaves the body partly through the kidneys raises the question whether this influences the risk of kidney damage. A recent meta-analysis, published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, finds a non-significant increased risk with heavy alcohol consumption, but a decreased risk when alcohol is consumed in moderation. However, the authors give some critical side notes to these results.
FENS 2019: Beer in moderation can fit in a balanced lifestyle
Scientists, gathered at the 13th European Nutrition Conference in Dublin, stressed the current scientific state-of-play suggests moderate beer consumption can fit with a balanced diet as it provides small amounts of nutrients, does not seem to contribute to weight increase and can also be associated with decreased risk of mortality and morbidity.
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.
