Portuguese scientists have announced that both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer help increase the diversity of gut bacteria. Researchers reached this conclusion after a study involving 19 men who consumed 325 milliliters of beer daily for four weeks, randomly divided into two groups. The first group consumed alcoholic beer, while the second group consumed non-alcoholic beer.
The researchers found that there were no changes to the participants' weight, body mass index, cardiovascular health indicators, or metabolism during the trial. However, at the end of the trial period, they observed an increase in the diversity of bacteria in the gut microbiome, as well as elevated alkaline phosphatase levels in the stools of both groups, indicating improved gut health.
It is noteworthy that the human digestive system contains trillions of microorganisms that directly influence human health and even personal traits. Numerous studies have shown that individuals with greater diversity in their gut bacteria have a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Beer contains compounds such as polyphenols and microorganisms formed during fermentation, which can affect the diversity of the human gut microbiome. Nonetheless, researchers indicate that the most cautious level of alcohol consumption is none at all. Therefore, they recommend consuming only non-alcoholic beer to genuinely obtain health benefits.
