beer or wine? Recent studies show that in many countries around the world, beer and wine are considered the most accepted beverages, followed by the so-called “spirits” (e.g. whisky, vodka or gin). Spain is the second largest wine producer in the world, even surpassing France and Italy.
But which of the two drinks is considered healthier? It turns out that consumption of both beer and spirits is associated with increased levels of visceral fat. According to a survey of 1,869 people between the ages of 40 and 79 published in the journal Obesity Science & Practice.
Several scientific media that have published on the effects of beer on the human body indicate that this drink contains phenolic compounds similar to red wine. But in lesser amounts, such as quercetin, epicatechins and gallic acid.
Around 70 to 80% of the polyphenols in beer come from barley malt and another 30% from hops, the flowers of the plant.
Beer contributes to an increase in visceral fat in the abdominal cavity, which may be associated with a risk of cardiovascular disease. Mainly heart attack and arteriosclerosis, since this type of fat can also be deposited in the heart.
Beer or wine: we’ll tell you here
However, wine has a much lower fat content. According to the above research, older adults who drank white wine in moderation were found to have higher bone mineral density than those who drank beer.
For its part, red wine contains about 10 times more polyphenols than white wine, although there are other active compounds in white wine that produce a cardioprotective effect.
In addition to alcohol, wine often contains several compounds that help relax blood vessels and prevent oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL, “bad” cholesterol).
Any of these drinks, consumed in moderation, can help. However, to reduce diabetes and cardiovascular risk. Other research, presented at the American Heart Association’s 2022 Conference on Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health, suggests that drinking wine with meals is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Regarding beer consumption, Dr. Ascensión Marcos Nutrients states that “approximately one beer per day for women (approximately 400ml) and one or two beers per day for men (approximately 700ml) could be defined as moderate beer consumption. Provided that the consumption is spread out over the week, without binge eating and within the framework of meal times, as is customary in Mediterranean countries.
Studies also suggest that light to moderate amounts (1-2 drinks per day for men and up to 1 drink per day for women) may actually be beneficial to the body.