Physiologically Active Beer Ingredients… Help Gut Microbiome
It has been proven that beer can help gut health to the point that it is comparable to lactic acid bacteria. Beer is rich in gut-healthy compounds that can improve gut health and boost immunity.
Researchers, including Silu, a medical student at Dalian University in China, have found that beer contains essential amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements involved in regulating human physiological functions. The malt and hops in beer contain polyphenols.
The polyphenols and other nutrients in beer are fermented and broken down by the microbial community living in the outer intestinal mucosa and interact with the microbial community in the inner mucosa. At this time, various metabolites are produced and circulate, a microbial community is created that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. They may also help prevent cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and neuropathy.
Moreover, researchers The chemical changes that accompany beer fermentation, the bioactive compounds formed during brewing, and the microbes found in beer can have the same or even greater impact than probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that enter the body and have a beneficial effect on health. Probiotics are found in kimchi, kombucha, cheese, and yogurt.
According to researchers who combined human and animal studies, moderate beer drinking may have a beneficial effect on the immune system compared to heavy drinking or total abstinence. However, excessive consumption beyond the recommended amount can cause health problems such as increased gut inflammation, liver disease, and endotoxemia, so be careful.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the amount of alcohol consumed per serving that minimizes the harmful effects of drinking is in the range of 40g of alcohol for men and 20g for women. As for beer, men should drink less than 1 liter and women less than 500 ml. However, exceptions are made when even a small amount of drinking is accompanied by side effects, such as flushing, or when there is an underlying medical condition.
The study was published in the nutritional journal Frontiers in Nutrition under the title “The Beer Gut Microbiome Alliance: A Discussion on Beer-Mediated Immunomodulation Through the Gut Microbiome.”
◆ Article Help: Choi Hye-rim, trainee reporter.