Moderate Beer Intake and Cardiovascular Health in Overweight Individuals.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effects of moderate and regular daily intake of beer (traditional and alcohol-free) on weight, lipoproteins, and vascular endothelial function in overweight or obese individuals without other cardiovascular risk factors.
Results Summary
Moderate beer intake did not affect BMI, lipid levels, or vascular endothelial function but increased the antioxidant capacity of HDL and promoted cholesterol efflux from macrophages. No detrimental effects on weight or vascular health were observed.
Population
Overweight (BMI 28–29.9 kg/m²) or obese class 1 (BMI 30–35 kg/m²) individuals without dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, or hypertension.
Effective Dosage
Traditional beer (30 g alcohol/day for men, 15 g alcohol/day for women) or alcohol-free beer (0 g alcohol/day), consumed with meals.
Duration
4 weeks per intervention (total 12-week study).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-to-moderate alcohol consumption | decrease | cardiovascular event presentation | - | - | inversely associated with | #1 |
high levels of alcohol intake | increase | cardiovascular risk | - | - | associated to increased | #2 |
traditional-beer (30 g alcohol/day in men and 15 g alcohol/day in women) | no change | BMI | overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 28⁻29.9 kg/m²) or obese class 1 (BMI of 30⁻35 kg/m²) individuals without other cardiovascular risk factors | - | did not show any significant change | #3 |
traditional-beer (30 g alcohol/day in men and 15 g alcohol/day in women) | no change | lipid levels | overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 28⁻29.9 kg/m²) or obese class 1 (BMI of 30⁻35 kg/m²) individuals without other cardiovascular risk factors | - | did not affect | #4 |
moderate traditional beer intake | increase | antioxidant capacity of high density lipoprotein (HDL) | overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 28⁻29.9 kg/m²) or obese class 1 (BMI of 30⁻35 kg/m²) individuals without other cardiovascular risk factors | - | significantly increased | #5 |
apoB-depleted serum (after the four-week intervention period) | increase | cholesterol efflux from macrophages | overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 28⁻29.9 kg/m²) or obese class 1 (BMI of 30⁻35 kg/m²) individuals without other cardiovascular risk factors | - | showed a higher potential to promote | #6 |
Beer consumption | no change | vascular endothelial dysfunction or stiffness | overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 28⁻29.9 kg/m²) or obese class 1 (BMI of 30⁻35 kg/m²) individuals without other cardiovascular risk factors | - | did not induce | #7 |
moderate intake of beer (traditional and alcohol-free) | no change | vascular detrimental effects | obese healthy individuals | - | does not exert | #8 |
moderate intake of beer (traditional and alcohol-free) | no change | body weight | obese healthy individuals | - | nor increases | #9 |
moderate intake of beer | increase | anti-oxidative properties of HDL | - | - | increases | #10 |
moderate intake of beer | increase | cholesterol efflux | - | - | facilitates | #11 |
Consistent epidemiological evidence indicates that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption is inversely associated with cardiovascular event presentation, while high levels of alcohol intake are associated to increased cardiovascular risk. Little is known on the effects of moderate beer intake in the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of moderate and regular daily intake of beer with meals in overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 28⁻29.9 kg/m²) or obese class 1 (BMI of 30⁻35 kg/m²) individuals without other cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidemia, type 2-diabetes, hypertension) focusing on the effects related to changes in weight, in lipoproteins and vascular endothelial function. We have performed an open, prospective two-arms longitudinal crossover study to investigate the effects associated with regular consumption (four week) of alcohol-free-beer (0 g alcohol/day) or traditional-beer (30 g alcohol/day in men and 15 g alcohol/day in women) on anthropometrical and biochemical parameters, liver and kidney function biomarkers, and vascular endothelial function. After four-week intervention with traditional and/or alcohol-free beer, BMI did not show any significant change and values for liver and kidney functions were within the normal levels. Moderate traditional beer intake did not affect lipid levels-however it significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of high density lipoprotein (HDL). In addition, apoB-depleted serum (after the four-week intervention period) showed a higher potential to promote cholesterol efflux from macrophages. Beer consumption did not induce vascular endothelial dysfunction or stiffness. In summary, our results based on a 12-week prospective study provide evidence that moderate intake of beer (traditional and alcohol-free) does not exert vascular detrimental effects nor increases body weight in obese healthy individuals. In contrast, moderate intake of beer increases the anti-oxidative properties of HDL and facilitates cholesterol efflux, which may prevent lipid deposition in the vessel wall.