Some strong beer, in moderation, could be gut-friendly. Before you use this as a reason to down half a dozen beers, however, read on to understand what kind and how much could benefit your gut.
The Gut-Friendly Findings
Eric Claasen, a researcher at the University of Amsterdam, attended an event organized by Yakult, a drink manufacturer. At this engagement, Claasen spoke about his findings. He claimed that some types of beer contain beneficial bacteria that can aid in digestion. Claasen then went on to describe how this can be. In Belgium, for example, he explained that beers are fermented twice during processing. This extra fermenting causes sugars to break down more thoroughly, which in turn makes the beer stronger. This second layer of fermenting is conducted by utilizing yeast that converts to gut-healthy bacteria, similar to the probiotics you’ve heard so much about. However, he expanded by saying that these strong probiotic-like beers are only helpful if they’re drunk in moderation, topping it off at about one beer a day. (1)
Why Moderation Matters
While it might be tempting to use this research as a reason to drink more beer, the fact remains that moderation is critical when it comes to alcohol consumption. (1, 2)
If you’re excited to hear that a strong Belgian beer a day could lead to a happy gut, you may want to consider the possible ramifications on your gut, and other parts of your body, if you exceed one or so beers a day. Drinking alcohol in excess can actually cause intestinal bacteria to overpopulate and therefore hurt your overall digestion. This can cause upset stomach, bloating, and digestion complications. Alcohol-dependent people who withdraw from alcohol can also experience gut leakiness. Excessive drinking, as in more than a glass or two a day, or chronic alcohol consumption can also lead to the following side effects: (3, 4)
- Nausea
- Headache
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Changes in the heart muscle
- Pancreatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Increased risk for some forms of cancer, including breast and colorectal cancers
- Weakened immune system
When researcher Eric Claasen spoke about the gut-friendly effects of alcohol, he was not indicating it’s time to drink large quantities of beer. As noted above, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to some very unpleasant and destructive consequences, so remember the important health-enhancing phrase whenever you reach for the beer: moderation is key. (1, 2, 3)
Probiotic Facts
When discussing the benefits of beer on the gut, Claasen referenced probiotics. So, what are probiotics, anyway?
Probiotics are microorganisms found in fermented food and drinks, including yogurt and some types of beer. It’s possible that probiotics help the microorganisms found naturally in your body to stay healthy. This could have a positive effect on your immune system. It seems that probiotics might help address diarrhea when it’s caused by antibiotics and help prevent infant sepsis and colic. However, the bottom line is, there is not enough evidence to know if probiotics actually have the gut-friendly effects they’re known for. (5)
Moderation and Education
While the findings regarding one beer a day might be exciting for many, it’s important to take precautions. As with any change you make to your supplements or diet, including adding a beer a day, it’s wise to do your research, talk to your doctor, consider all sides of the equation, and listen to your intuition.
