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

Abstract

The main aim of this 2-year non-randomized parallel controlled clinical pilot trial was to evaluate the long-termeffect of a moderate daily intake of beer (with and without alcohol) on cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women. A totalof 34 participants were grouped into 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 were determined.RESULTS: Moderate consumption of beer, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, seemed to have positive effects on biochemicalindicators of cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women, with 660 mL day−1of non-alcoholic beer reducing low-densitylipoprotein cholesterol blood levels, and 330 mL day−1of alcoholic beer increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Theevolution of changes in android and gynoid fat percentage and their ratio differed significantly between study groups, whichwas attributable to either the interventions or the disparity between groups regarding the time elapsed since menopauseonset. Iso-⊍-acids recognition threshold could be involved in intervention group election, whereas the sensory phenotypesstudied were not associated with alcohol drinking frequency.CONCLUSIONS: Moderate beer consumption was found to improve the lipid profile of postmenopausal women, although theireffects in preventing cardiometabolic alterations deserve further research (trial registration number: ISRCTN13825020;https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13825020)