Do we know what moderate alcohol consumption is? The particular case of beer

Abstract

There is currently a great controversy about the lack of definition regarding the concept of moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages from the point of view of health, since, in turn, it should be a socially accepted consumption. Although still there is not a global agreement about the definition of “moderate consumption”, it is considered as such the amount below 10-12 g alcohol/day for women and no more than 20-24g alcohol/day for men. These differences are because that women are not capable as men to metabolise alcohol. According to the scientific evidence, moderate consumption of beer seems to be accepted to maintain an adequate quality of the diet, as it provides vitamins B (vitamin B6, B12 and folates) and minerals (magnesium) among other nutrients, as well as poliphenols and complex carbohydrates. In terms of health, a moderate beer consumption may play a protective role at cardiovascular levels, associated with an enhanced lipid profile. It should be highlighted the possible beneficial effects of a moderate consumption of fermented beverages (such as beer) is associated with other factors, such as gender, age, as well as the pattern of consumption throughout life.