ISSUE 2
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DECEMBER 2011
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
PRODUCED BY THE BBPA
THE SILICON STORY
BEER AFTER EXERCISE
Pg: 2 BEER NEWS
BEER SOMMELIERS Pg: 3
FROM MYTHS TO SCIENCE: BEER & HEALTH SYMPOSIUM Prof. Frans.J.Kok
YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THE 6TH EUROPEAN BEER AND Health Symposium 2011, Beer and Health: From Myths to Science’ has recently taken place. The words ‘beer’ and ‘health’ you may feel are a little incongruous? Indeed, one of the reasons that this medical conference was first established in 1999 was to help confound some of the common misconceptions and negative views about a beverage that, in moderation, might have a number of potential nutritional benefits and health proper ties. This year’s event saw some of the most renowned scientists and medical professionals from across Europe come together to share new research findings, update colleagues on projects, offer exper t opinion and debate the issues. The topics discussed during the day concerned some of the major health issues of our times, with discussions covering cardiovascular
disease, cognitive decline, dementia and connective tissue health. This latest edition of thenaturalchoice newsletter aims to provide a round-up of the conference, highlighting some of the most interesting areas of research and exper t opinion in the area. I hope that the ar ticles are more than merely ‘thought-provoking’, and also leave you with a much broader understanding of how beer in moderation may contribute to a healthy life. Read more at www.beerandhealth.eu. Prof. Frans.J.Kok Head of the Division of Human Nutrition Wageningen University, The Netherlands
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ISSUE 2
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DECEMBER 2011
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BEER & HEALTH SYMPOSIUM
WHY MODERATE BEER CONSUMPTION IS BENEFICIAL FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH MANY EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES WORLD-WIDE HAVE SUPPORTED THE fact that moderate beer (alcohol) consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease from strokes, heart attacks and artery disease.
Dr Hendricks, a senior project leader in Human Physiology at TNO Zeist in the Netherlands
Dr Hendricks, a senior project leader in Human Physiology at TNO Zeist in the Netherlands, used these studies as the basis of a thought-provoking address to attendees of the conference.
stressed the importance of additional lifestyle factors that may impact on poor health such as not smoking, increasing physical activity and following a Mediterranean diet in this ‘health equation’.
Dr Hendricks’ review of the latest data found that drinking moderately, but regularly resulted in the lowest risk to cardiovascular health - concluding that there is “strong evidence for a cardioprotective factor effect of moderate alcohol consumption”, Dr Hendricks also
There is further evidence to support Dr Hendricks research from S.E. O’Brian, BMJ, 2011 (BMJ2011;342:bmj. d636) which shows the positive effect of alcohol consumption on biological markers associated with risk of Coronary Heart Diesese.
THE SILICON STORY PROFESSOR JONATHAN POWELL, Head of MRC Human Nutrition Research at Cambridge (and visiting chair of medicine at King’s College London) has long been researching the role of dietary silicon and its beneficial effects on the body. This nutrient helps protect you from the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis and is thought to play an important role in the synthesis of collagen, the protein found in tendons, nails, hair and the skin. His research has also been extended into the effect of silicon on cardiovascular health. Initial findings suggest that silicon deficiency leads to a reduction in the aortic circumference.
Silicon is not produced naturally by the body. We used to get this mineral from water but we now gain the vast majority of our dietary intake of silicon from green vegetables and wholegrain cereal. It is also found in abundance in the husk of barley, one of beer’s main ingredients. Prof. Powell has been researching the intake of silicon from beer on bone mineral density (BMD) and has proved a positive relationship for bone health. His colleagues at Aberdeen University have also identified a novel effect of ethanol, in inhibiting bone loss. So the moderate consumption of beer could have two complementary effects on bone health; where ethanol would inhibit bone loss, whilst silicon will enhance new bone formation.
Professor Jonathan Powell, Head of MRC Human Nutrition Research at Cambridge
BEER CONSUMPTION AND THE MYTH OF THE BEER BELLY ANOTHER INTERESTING TALK AT THE SYMPOSIUM CAME FROM Professor Arne Astrup, Head of The Department of Human Nutrition at The University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He discussed the widespread myth that beer consumption is considered to be responsible for causing the ‘beer belly’ – a fact that remains unsupported by any concrete and conclusive scientific evidence. Professor Arne Astrup, Head of The Department of Human Nutrition at The University of Copenhagen.
His team in Copenhagen reviewed the existing research which shows that there is no evidence to support the fact that moderate beer consumption i.e. less than 2-3 units per day, is associated with an increased BMI or abdominal fat.
However, if people consumed more than one litre of beer in a day, over 7 days this did then result in a slight increase in risk. He concluded that the “scientific substantive for the beer belly is not there”. Rather, the well -established risk factors for the beer belly are not as the name suggests but remain instead age, smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, stress, impaired sleep and use of drugs.
BEER & HEALTH SYMPOSIUM
thenaturalchoice
BEER AFTER EXERCISE PROFESSOR MANUEL CASTILLO, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA IN SPAIN is fascinated by the role of beer in quenching thirst. Beer is mainly made up of water but it does also, of course, contain alcohol. Professor Castillo was interested in finding out whether this alcohol content was sufficient to prevent adequate recovery or rehydration after exercise. He designed a research programme with sixteen healthy young male volunteers who performed two exhausting bouts of 60 minutes exercise at 35°C. Volunteers were selected to undertake the two sessions, which were
separated by a three week interval, in a random order and the volunteers were asked to consume either water or beer following each session. The researchers found that there was neither a specific benefit nor a negative effect that could be attributed to the intake of beer compared to the intake of water. They concluded that, at least in healthy young adults, beer in moderation can be effective for rehydration and recovery after exercise.
Professor Manuel Castillo, of the University of Granada, Spain
NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER: A GOOD DRINK FOR BREAST FEEDING MOTHERS ‘BREAST IS BEST’ IS THE OLD ADAGE – breast milk provides a range of essential nutrients as well as antioxidants to babies who as yet, have an immature or underdeveloped antioxidant system.
Dr Maria-Teresa Hernandez Aguilar, paediatrician
Dr Maria-Teresa Hernandez Aguilar, is a paediatrician with a special interest in the promotion of breastfeeding who is working in Valencia and has been an active member of the Breastf ommittee of the Spanish Paediatric Association. Her research groups have been looking into the composition of a mother’s milk – and in particular whether this changes with her diet. Of specific interest to Dr Aguilar was whether the anti-oxidant capacity of the milk could be increased if the mother were to supplement their diet with non-alcoholic beer. Two groups of forty mothers
were analysed for 30 days, with one of the groups having their diets supplemented with non-alcoholic beer. The researchers then took samples of the mother’s blood, urine and breast milk as well as testing their baby’s urine at three intervals; shortly after birth, at 15 days old and at one month old. They found that there is a reduction in the antioxidant capacity of breast milk from colostrum (first milk) to mature milk – which was expected. However, this reduction was significantly lower in the group of mothers who supplemented their diets with nonalcoholic beer. They concluded that non-alcoholic beer may be a good source of nutrients and antioxidants to add to other healthy foods for breastfeeding mothers.
BEER AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: ITS ROLE IN COGNITIVE FUNCTION DR VINCENZO SOLFRIZZI, DEPARTMENT OF GERIATRICS, UNIVERSITY of Bari in Italy set out to explore the complex relationship between alcoholic consumption and the development of age-related changes of cognitive function and degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Whereas studies generally show that light to moderate alcohol drinking can be a protective factor against these conditions, some contrasting findings also exist. To gain some clarity on the issue, Dr Solfrizzi carried out a systematic review of research related to alcoholic consumption, cognitive decline and dementia published in some of the world’s leading
medical journals such as the American Journal of Psychiatry, The Lancet and Age and Ageing. Dr Solfrizzi was able to form the view that patients with mild cognitive impairment, who are moderate drinkers of alcohol, have a lower rate of progression to dementia. Although this relationship can be seen it is not possible to advise on a specific beneficial level of alcohol intake as yet.
Dr Vincenzo Solfrizzi, Department of Geriatrics, University of Bari, Italy
ISSUE 2
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DECEMBER 2011
thenaturalchoice
BRITAIN’S FIRST ACADEMY ACCREDITED BEER SOMMELIERS
THERE IS FANTASTIC NEWS FOR THOSE OF US WHO WANT TO KNOW A little more about the diversity and quality of beer or who just want to experience the sophisticated pairing of beer with food during an evening out. We can now call on the expertise of Britain’s first Beer Academy registered and accredited beer sommelier to masterfully select the best beer styles to pair with any dish or just to slake our thirst for beer knowledge! Steve Livens – who works for the British Beer and Pub Association – had to complete a series of courses before he could be awarded this accredited status. Applicants must demonstrate practical competence including, amongst others: use of beer and food pairings and use of beer menus at retail level. Finally, each applicant is then formally assessed via an evidence based process, including practical tests during an interview at The Beer Academy.
MINE’S A… TWO-THIRD! LANDMARK GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION IS helping to revolutionise the way we appreciate our great British drink. Last month two-thirds of a pint became an official measure in bars and restaurants. Not only does this increase consumer choice, but it may actually be more appropriate to drink less than a pint for some beers, such as higher strength speciality beers. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of BBPA said, “While the pint remains a great British icon, the two thirds measure will give greater flexibility over how beer is served. This is particularly important when it comes to encouraging more women to choose beer, as many avoid the traditional pint glass.”
A beer sommelier works in the alcoholic beverage industry specialising in the service and knowledge of beer. This includes an understanding of styles, brewing, ingredients, history of beer and brewing, glassware, draught systems, and food pairing. Beer is an infinitely complex beverage, and a beer sommelier has an equally infinite depth of knowledge and passion for this drink. Although the profession is relatively new, it is rapidly growing and it is exciting that these first accredited sommeliers will pave the way for future UK beer sommeliers to come. For more information see www.beeracademy.co.uk/ courses/beer-sommelier
TAX BREAK OFFERS BIG BOOST FOR LOWER-STRENGTH BEER FROM OCTOBER ALL BEERS WITH AN ALCOHOLIC content of 2.8% abv and below will be taxed less. The fifty per cent tax break is the equivalent of around 35 pence on every pint when compared with a typical 4.2% beer. The move will see Britain’s 5,000 beer brands boosted by new entrants into the lower tax category. This is likely to provide even more incentive for drinkers to try lower-strength products, particularly for those trying to control their alcohol and/or calorie intake.
For more information, spokespeople and photography contact the press office for the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) at Trinity PR on 020 8786 3860, email jo.gulliver@trinitypr.co.uk or visit www.beergenie.co.uk.