Beer could be GOOD for you: Scientists have found that drinking it can improve gut health
- Scientists found that drinking beer might be better than abstaining completely
- Polyphenols, fiber and ethanol in beer strengthen the immune system
- However, experts warn that it is only beneficial in moderation and that alcohol causes cancer
Scientists suspect that drinking beer could be good for gut health and the immune system.
Researchers have found that drinking pints in moderation might be better for some aspects of your health than giving up altogether.
Drinking beer is believed to boost the body’s immune system as a buildup of healthy bacteria benefits the gut.
Drinking beer is believed to boost the body’s immune system as several ingredients stimulate the growth of bacteria that benefit the gut.
The study by Dalian Medical University in China states that polyphenols, dietary fiber and ethanol in beer are the key ingredients to boost your immune system.
Beer has been suggested to be more gut-friendly than probiotics found in yogurt and cheese
It has been found to be more effective than probiotics when drunk in moderation.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are said to be beneficial to health.
According to the NHS, these microorganisms are said to help restore the natural balance in your gut when it’s been upset by illness and fight off any bad bacteria that linger.
You can find them in trendy kimchi and kombucha, but also in cheese and yogurt.
“As a long-established fermented beverage, beer is rich in many essential amino acids, vitamins, trace elements, and bioactive substances involved in the regulation of many human physiological functions,” the authors write.
The scientists add: “The polyphenols in the malt and hops of the beer are also important active substances that interact in both directions with the intestinal microbiome.”
“Due to the conversion of beer substrates, the formation of bioactive end products and the presence of microorganisms, some of its components display ‘similar’ or even greater effects than probiotics.”
It advocated the later use of “beer bioactives” for health benefits.
They even claimed that future products – called health beers – could prevent diseases like atherosclerosis and heart disease and improve blood circulation.
The review, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, states: “Combining these findings from human and animal studies suggests that moderate beer consumption has a beneficial effect on the immune system compared to states of alcohol abuse or abstinence.”
“When alcohol consumption is controlled within safe limits, the combined effects of the metabolism of alcohol and other components on the gut flora merit more comprehensive analysis.”
However, they cautioned that the benefits of drinking beer are only for moderate drinkers.
According to the study, “The risk of death is lower in light and moderate drinkers and higher in heavy drinkers.”
Professor Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health at the University of Glasgow, says the study “misses the bigger picture”.
“It is true that some of the ingredients found in beer can have beneficial health effects, but these are easily overcome by the alcohol itself,” he told the Telegraph.
Excessive alcohol consumption has been found to increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, liver disease and various types of cancer, according to the NHS.
To minimize the health risks from alcohol, the NHS advises both men and women to drink no more than 14 units per week on a regular basis.
DO YOU DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL? THE 10 QUESTIONS THAT REVEAL YOUR RISK
A screening tool commonly used by medical professionals is the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tests). Developed in partnership with the World Health Organization, the 10-item test is considered the gold standard for determining if someone has a problem with alcohol abuse.
The test is reproduced here with permission from the WHO.
To complete it, answer each question and record the corresponding score.
YOUR RESULT:
0-7: You are in the reasonable drinking range and at low risk for alcohol-related problems.
Over 8: Point out harmful or dangerous drinking.
8-15: Average risk. If you drink alcohol at your current level, you are at risk of problems with your health and life in general, such as B. at work and in relationships. Consider reducing it (see tips below).
16-19: Higher risk of complications from alcohol. At this level it can be difficult to limit anything on your own as you may be dependent and therefore may need professional help from your GP and/or a counselor.
20 and older: Possible dependency. Your alcohol consumption is already causing you problems and you may well be dependent. You should definitely consider quitting, or at least reducing your alcohol consumption. You should seek professional help to determine your level of dependence and the safest way to quit alcohol.
Severe dependence may require medically assisted withdrawal or detoxification in a hospital or specialist clinic. This is because severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur within the first 48 hours, requiring specialist attention.