A comprehensive review of the benefits of drinking craft beer

The authors of a review on the benefits of craft beer, say that unlike conventional beer, craft beers provide better health benefits due to their varied and high content of phenolic compounds and also due to their alcohol content, but the latter is controversial. Their paper reports on the alcoholic fraction and phenolic compounds present in craft beers and their influence on health.
The type and amount of phenolic compound in craft beers depend on the ingredients and strains used, as well as the brewing process. The review finds that it is healthier to be a moderate consumer of alcohol than to be a teetotaler or heavy drinker. Thus, studies in vitro, with animal models and clinical trials on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes and obesity, osteoporosis and even the immune system suggest beneficial effects from the consumption of craft beer. However, the authors emphasise that more studies with more robust designs are required to obtain more generalisable and conclusive results. Finally, some challenges in the production of craft beer are detailed and some alternative solutions are mentioned.
Source: Tirado-Kulieva VA, Hernández-Martínez E, Minchán-Velayarce HH, Pasapera-Campos SE, Luque-Vilca OM. A comprehensive review of the benefits of drinking craft beer: Role of phenolic content in health and possible potential of the alcoholic fraction. Curr Res Food Sci. 2023 Mar 4;6:100477.