The study says this drink “might reach the gut where they can modulate bacterial growth.”
Groundbreaking research shows that beer, when consumed in moderation, could positively influence men’s gut health.
Experts indicate that lager can enhance gut microbiota, an essential component of digestion.
The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry and involved 19 male participants aged 23 to 58.
They were divided randomly into two groups, each drinking a 330ml bottle of either alcoholic or non-alcoholic lager with dinner for four weeks.
The participants were instructed to maintain their regular levels of physical activity and usual dietary habits. At the end of the trial, analysis of fecal samples showed increased bacterial diversity in the guts of all participants. Regardless of the group, the results suggested an enhancement in their intestinal health.
During the study period, no changes were noted in the participants’ weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), or heart health markers. The research was published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.
Lead study author Prof Ana Faria from NOVA University Lisbon mentioned, “One beer per day, with or without alcohol, can be used as a strategy to improve our microbiota, as part of a well-balanced diet. But we need to be careful with the results so that we don’t pass the message that the more the better.”
Beer contains compounds called polyphenols, found in hops, barley, and yeast. They emerge during fermentation and can affect the variety of gut microbes, thereby influencing digestion.
As per Healthline, the gut microbiome encompasses all microbes in your intestines, functioning like a vital organ for your well-being. There are up to 1,000 bacterial species in the human gut microbiome, each playing distinct roles.
While the majority are essential for health, some could cause diseases.
The study authors commented, “These results suggest the effects of beer on gut microbiota modulation are independent of alcohol and may be mediated by beer polyphenols.”
Prof Faria added that “Beer polyphenols might reach the gut where they can modulate bacterial growth.”
She referred to the Flemish Gut Flora Project, a large-scale study that demonstrated beer consumption’s significant impact on microbiota composition.
“Therefore, given the importance of the gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, gut microbiota modulation might constitute another mechanism mediating the effects of beer on health,” she said.
The selection of men for the study was due to its exploratory nature and to limit confounding factors, Prof Faria explained. She expressed interest in conducting a larger study incorporating both genders and a broader age range in the future.
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