Effects of moderate beer consumption on blood lipid profile in healthy Spanish adults

Background and aims: To analyse the association of moderate beer consumption on the blood lipid profile in healthy Spanish adults. Methods and results: The study had an intervention longitudinal design in which each subject established their own control with a previous wash-out phase. After a 30-day alcohol abstinence period, 57 healthy volunteers were submitted to a daily moderate intake of beer for 30 days. Serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, GOT, GPT, GGT and glucose values, as well as blood erythrocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit and MCV levels, together with anthropometric parameters were determined at the beginning of the study (baseline levels) (a), after 1 month of alcoholic abstinence (b) and after 1 month of moderate beer consumption (c). Dietary intake was assessed twice by a 7-day dietary record. HDL-cholesterol, erythrocytes, haematocrit and MCV levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) after moderate beer consumption in women. In men, a decrease in HDL-cholesterol levels was observed after alcohol abstention. Haematocrit and MCV counts also increased significantly (p < 0.05) in men after moderate beer consumption. There were no dietary changes during the study. Conclusion: In healthy Spanish adults, the effects of moderate beer consumption during 1 month were associated with favourable changes on the blood lipid profile.