Hic, hic hooray... beer is good for a healthy gut

But have only one a day... and make it non-alcoholic

EVERYONE knows a beer belly is rarely a good thing.

But a lager a day could be good for your gut, though it’s probably best to go for a nonalcoholic version.

researchers have found men who drank one bottle of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer with dinner every day for four weeks had a healthier gut.

The study found the men, aged 23 to 58, had a greater diversity of bacteria, which may help to reduce the risk of illnesses such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Study lead Dr Ana Faria, from nova University in Lisbon, Portugal, said: ‘Moderate beer consumption as a part of a balanced diet can be used as a strategy to improve our gut health... Moderation is always needed with alcoholic drinks but beer is fermented, containing plant chemicals from hops. We know fermented drinks and food are source of healthy compounds.’ The findings may help explain prior studies suggesting moderate beerdrinking can protect against cardiovascular disease, as red wine does. The study divided a group of 19 men into two groups. one group was sent 330ml bottles of alcoholic beer, at 5.2 per cent strength, while the other group received a zero-alcohol alternative. The men were told not to change their diet or physical activity.

After a month, researchers found no difference in the men’s weight, fat mass or blood sugar, but they had a greater range of bacteria in their gut. Both types of beer had a similar effect.

But alcohol has other detrimental health effects, so they advise drinkers to stick to non-alcoholic lager – and just the one.

Dr Faria said: ‘Moderation is key and people should not think the more beer the better.’

Commenting on the study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Dr Megan rossi, from King’s College London, said: ‘This small study suggests people drinking nonalcoholic beer may actually experience some gut health benefits.’