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Background: The effects of alcohol consumption on body weight have been evaluated in a large number of studies suggesting to be inversely as well as positively related to body weight and body fat. Objective: This study examined the relationships between moderate beer consumption and anthropometrical parameters in Spanish healthy adults. Method: After a 30 day alcohol abstemious period, 58 healthy volunteers were submitted to a daily moderate consumption of beer during the following 30 days. Weight, height, skinfolds and circumferences were measured at three points: a) basal; b) abstemious and c) after moderate consumption of beer. Results: Biceps skinfold (mml increased (p < 0.05) in men after moderate beer consumption in regard to abstinence period (5.74 ± 1.70 vs 6.23 ± 1.74). No significant differences were observed in the rest of anthropometrical parameters studied in both women and men along the study intervention. Conclusion: Moderate beer consumption during one month did not mostly change weight and weight-related parameters in healthy adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Beer is a beverage that has been usually included in our habitual diet from immemorial time. However, beer consumption depends on food habits and lifestyle in different populations. In Mediterranean countries, fermented beverages like beer, takes up a key space in the Mediterranean diet that has been declared in 2010 as Cultural Immaterial World Heritage by UNESCO., Objectives: The positioning where the Spanish Society of Primary Care Medicine and the Beer and Health Information Centre have conjointly worked on has the following beer consumption-related aims: a) to update its knowledge based on the scientific evidence; b) to evaluate the possibility to include it within a healthy diet for healthy adults; c) to inform health professionals and the general population about its possible health benefits., Methodology: A panel of experts, represented by clinicians and researchers in the field of nutrition held a meeting with the purpose to review the scientific literature related to the effects of the moderate consumption of fermented beverages, particularly beer, and to reach a consensus on the results, conclusions and recommendations suggested and established by other experts at an international level., Results: The current scientific evidence reflects that moderate consumption of beer does not affect anthropometry related variables. Although energy supply from beer is very low, its nutrients and bioactive compound contents are interesting, since its potential antioxidant effect together with the fact that anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects have been demonstrated, as well as its beneficial effect on cardiovascular health, leading to a greater protection than even in the abstemious population., Conclusions: In view of the results obtained from the literature consulted by the expert panel, we can conclude that the moderate consumption of beer can be considered within a healthy diet. Nevertheless, the general recommendation is addressed only to healthy adults, never to children, adolescents or pregnant women. In the case of elderly people, any beverage containing alcohol should not be recommended for those who are treated with drugs in order to avoid possible interactions with alcohol consumption., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Medicina Rural y Generalista (SEMERGEN). All rights reserved.)