New scientific evidence backing the idea that moderate beer consumption may help reduce cardiovascular risk and prevent some cancers The beer is an ancient drink that has always been closely linked to the healthy Mediterranean diet that includes moderate contributions of fermented beverages (wine, champagne, beer and cider) normally consumed during meals. Specialists in medicine and nutrition meeting in Madrid in the III International Symposium of the 5th European-Beer Beer and Health Symposium, presented new scientific evidence which prove that moderate beer consumption may help reduce cardiovascular risk and to prevent certain types cancer. During this meeting also presented the paper "Effects of Moderate Beer Consumption," a compilation updated literature of scientific research that address the nutritional aspects

of beer. Beer and cardiovascular health The low alcohol fermented beverages rich in polyphenols have an additional protective effect against cardiovascular disease. While it is known that alcohol abuse has harmful effects on health, the risk of heart attack may be between 40% and 50% lower in those who drink moderately than in those whose consumption is zero, said Dr. Armin Imhof, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Ulm (Germany). Anti arteriosclerotic effects, anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic of low alcohol fermented beverages such as beer are down to their low levels of ethanol as a non-alcoholic substances, mainly to contain polyphenols, said Prof. Cesar Nombela, Professor of Microbiology Complutense University and Director of the Chair Extraordinary fermented beverages. Beer and cancer Recent scientific studies confirm that xanthohumol, a powerful antioxidant that contains beer, plays an important role chemo preventive. One of the flavonoids found in beer may help prevent certain cancers. According to the work of Dr. Adriana Albini, president of the Italian Society for Research on Cancer, the xanthohumol has a potential chemo preventive effect, since cells treated with this antioxidant showed a significant reduction factor expression in tumor growth. The xanthohumol possesses a wide spectrum of mechanisms that inhibit the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis. In Spain, the Spanish Group for Breast Cancer Research (GEICAM), is conducting a survey of 1,000 women to assess the relationship between breast cancer and regular consumption of beer. GEICAM part of the hypothesis that flavonoids found in beer have a significant antioxidant capacity, and stresses that the beer is fermented drink less alcohol content contributes to the diet and folic acid (4 mgr/100 ml), a relevant aspect, since several studies have shown the relationship between breast cancer and women with low intake of folic acid.