Effect of moderate beer consumption (with and without ethanol) on cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women

A two-year non-randomized parallel controlled clinical pilot trial evaluated the long-term effect of a moderate daily intake of beer (with and without alcohol) on cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women.
A total of 34 participants were grouped in three study arms: 16 were administered alcoholic beer, 6 consumed non-alcoholic beer, and 12 were in the control group. Changes in glucose metabolism, lipid profile, liver enzymes, anthropometric measurements, body composition and blood pressure variables were monitored. Data on medical history, diet, and exercise were collected, and gustatory capacities determined.
Moderate consumption of beer, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, seemed to have positive effects on biochemical indicators of cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women. 660 mL/day of non-alcoholic beer reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol blood levels, and 330 mL/day of alcoholic beer increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The evolution of changes in android and gynoid fat percentage and their ratio differed significantly between study groups, which was attributable to either the interventions or the disparity between groups regarding the time elapsed since menopause onset. Iso-α-acids recognition threshold could be involved in intervention group election whereas sensory phenotypes studied were not associated with alcohol drinking frequency.
Moderate beer consumption was found to improve the lipid profile of postmenopausal women, although their effects in preventing cardiometabolic alterations deserve further research, the researchers comment.
Source: Trius-Soler, M., Martínez-Carrasco, P., Tresserra-Rimbau, A., Moreno, J.J., Estruch, R. and Lamuela-Raventós, R.M. (2023), Effect of moderate beer consumption (with and without ethanol) on cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women. J Sci Food Agric.