Moderate beer consumption and metabolic health: A comprehensive review from the lipoprotein perspective

Moderate beer consumption and metabolic health: A comprehensive review from the lipoprotein perspective. Elena M.Grao-Cruces et al. Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 95, August 2022, 105188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2022.105188

Highlights

• Moderate beer consumption modulates cardiovascular health parameters.

• Moderate beer consumption modulates the blood lipid profile.

• Beer components and matrix are essential for its properties.

• It is not clear whether alcohol or phenols are the main responsible of beer effects.

Abstract: Beer intake is part of our society lifestyle but still a controversial topic due to the lack of consensus regarding its effects on our health. Regarding cardiovascular disease, research needs to consider the amount consumed but also drinking thresholds, frequency of drinking, age and gender of consumers, lifestyle, or non-alcoholic components of beers. Nevertheless, epidemiological evidence points to healthy effects of low or moderate beer consumption and even a protective action for cardiovascular risk and diabetes, discouraging heavy intakes without any exception. Beer components include alcohol and phenolics, both of which alter high- or low-density-lipoprotein levels and their oxidation status in blood. This review aims to highlight the importance of the metabolic mechanism by which beer components may influence lipid profile in terms of quantity and functionality, modulating cardiovascular risk. This is a major challenge for our society in light of the remarkable impact of cardiovascular diseases in all-cause mortality.

4. Conclusions

The purpose of the current review was to focus on the composition of beers, which are very popular drinks, as the source of metabolites, including alcohol, phenols and melanoidins, which influence our cardiovascular health. Many data demonstrate so far that low to moderate beer intake exerts a beneficial effect in terms of cardiovascular risk. This study provides a new understanding regarding the molecular profile involved in beer components healthy effects. Circulating lipids in blood may alter their levels or oxidation status, anticipating cardioprotective microenvironments. What is more, populations of high-density or low-density lipoproteins may exert different functions in our cardiovascular health after beer intake, in order to diminish cardiovascular risk. Nevertheless, further research is needed to elucidate the complex mechanisms underlying beer components behavior to contribute to reduce cardiovascular disease mortality. However, it is important to highlight that the benefits of beer intake does not outweigh the risks, the WHO discourages of any alcohol consumption.