A recently published study suggests that a glass of beer a day is good for your gut. Research has found that men who drank one bottle of beer a day, alcoholic or non alcoholic with dinner, every day for four weeks, had a healthier gut.
The study carried out by Dr Ania Faria from Nova University in Lisbon states that men aged between 23 – 58 had a greater diversity of bacteria, which may help to reduce the risk of illnesses including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
It established that moderate beer consumption combined with a balanced diet can improve gut health. Fermented drinks including beer are a source of healthier compounds.
19 men were divided into two groups one group was sent 330ml bottles of beer 5.2 abv and the other group received a non alcoholic alternative. The men were told not to change their physical activity or diet.
After a month it was established that there was no difference in the men’s weight, fat mass or blood sugar but they had a greater range of bacteria in their gut. It was similar for both groups.
It concluded that the non alcoholic option is better due to alcohol having other detrimental health effects and that it should be kept to just one glass per day.
It was suggested that the findings may also help explain that moderate beer drinking can protect against cardiovascular disease, as red wine does. On the subject of wine a different survey concluded that just 3 medium glasses of wine a week could reduce a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant. US experts from the University of Louisville studied 413 women over 19 months to establish their findings.
As always moderation is the key factor.
