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.
On 16 October 2019, the Beer and Health Initiative was represented at the 13th European Nutrition Conference (FENS) through a 90 minutes session entitled “Does moderate beer consumption fit in a healthy diet?”. The session featured three presentations on nutrients, minerals and vitamins in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer, on beer and its contribution (or not) to the beer belly and on the effects of alcohol consumption on morbidity and mortality.
Beer in a healthy diet
Research from Kupnicka, MSc, Poland, highlighted the various nutrients, present in small amounts, that are found in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer and how they can contribute to a balanced diet. More information on this topic is provided via this short movie. Prof Astrup, Denmark, then presented the scientific state-of-play about beer consumption and its impact on abdominal fat deposition. Science suggests moderate beer consumption is not associated with increase in weight, but excessive consumption and poor dietary habits are. Finally, Dr Costanzo, Italy, summarized the latest scientific research on moderate alcohol consumption and total mortality and morbidity: moderate alcohol consumption, including beer, is associated with decreased risks of mortality and morbidity, whilst excessive consumption is association with increased risk, and should be avoided.
About the FENS
The 13th European Nutrition Conference is organized in Dublin, Ireland, from 15 to 18 October 2019. The conference, held once every four years, is the premier European meeting within nutritional science for nutrition scientists and researchers, bringing together nutrition and health professionals from across Europe. This year’s conference presents European perspectives on ‘malnutrition in an obese world’. With increasing rates of non-communicable diseases globally alongside the persistent presence of nutritional deficiencies and undernutrition, the conference will take a wide-ranging approach to the topic. A range of leading researchers, organisations and institutions from across the world will present cutting-edge research on topics as diverse as the microbiome, chrononutrition, nutritional reductionism, and nutrigenetics. Different perspectives will cover the genetic, molecular and cellular aspects of malnutrition, metabolism and physiology, and the epidemiological evidence, in addition to exploring the policies, practices and behaviours implicated in designing successful interventions. More information available here: http://www.fens2019.org/