Effects of moderate beer consumption on health and disease: A consensus document

Abstract

A large evidence-based review on the effects of a moderate consumption of beer on human health has been conducted by an international panel of experts who reached a full consensus on the present document. Low-moderate (up to 1 drink per day in women, up to 2 in men), non-bingeing beer consumption, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. This effect is similar to that of wine, at comparable alcohol amounts. Epidemiological studies suggest that moderate consumption of either beer or wine may confer greater cardiovascular protection than spirits. Although specific data on beer are not conclusive, observational studies seem to indicate that low-moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of developing neurodegenerative disease. There is no evidence that beer drinking is different from other types of alcoholic beverages in respect to risk for some cancers. Evidence consistently suggests a J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption (including beer) and all-cause mortality, with lower risk for moderate alcohol consumers than for abstainers or heavy drinkers. Unless they are at high risk for alcohol-related cancers or alcohol dependency, there is no reason to discourage healthy adults who are already regular light-moderate beer consumers from continuing. Consumption of beer, at any dosage, is not recommended for children, adolescents, pregnant women, individuals at risk to develop alcoholism, those with cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, depression, liver and pancreatic diseases, or anyone engaged in actions that require concentration, skill or coordination. In conclusion, although heavy and excessive beer consumption exerts deleterious effects on the human body, with increased disease risks on many organs and is associated to significant social problems such as addiction, accidents, violence and crime, data reported in this document show evidence for no harm of moderate beer consumption for major chronic conditions and some benefit against cardiovascular disease.

Casual alcohol consumption is associated with less subclinical cardiovascular organ damage in Koreans: a cross-sectional study

“…Some authors have claimed that a low prevalence of CV diseases observed in wine or beer drinkers might be associated with the antioxidants contained in the beverages [5, 7, 8]. Meanwhile, others have suggested the beneficial effects of alcohol itself [25].…”

When an enemy becomes a friend. On the benefits of alcohol consumption

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Microbial, physicochemical and sensory characteristics analysis of selected alcoholic beverages of from Bangladesh, India and Nepal

“…It is the third largest drink consumed all over the world after water and tea. Moderate use of beer in the daily diet can be good but drinking beer exceeds a certain limit would be harmful (Gaetano et al 2016). Wine is another common alcoholic beverage and everybody is familiar with it.…”