3rd European Beer and Health Symposium

Specialists of the field of Medicine and Nutrition met last 4 November in Madrid to discuss the latest research findings about the positive effects of beer consumption on health.

The Symposium, which was opened by Elena Espinosa, the Spanish Minister of Environment, Rural and Seaside Areas, looked the protective effects of beer consumption against cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers, and at the beneficial effects of beer consumption on metabolic recovery after physical exercise.

In her inaugural speech, Elena Espinosa explained the “agricultural origin and use as a foodstuff of beer, a fermented beverage firmly rooted in our culture and customs; a millenary beverage that has always been closely associated with the healthy Mediterranean diet”. The Minister of Environment, Rural and Seaside Areas highlighted the importance of the beer industry in Spain's agrifood panorama which employs, directly and indirectly, more than 220,000 people in such key sectors as catering, agriculture and food.

At the end of the day, there was a round table discussion that looked at some of the education campaigns developed by the Beer Industry to promote moderate and responsible drinking. Among the participants in the discussion there were representatives from DG SANCO (Unit Strategy and Analysis), EASA and the Spanish Director General for Transport.

For more information see:

Summary of presentations

http://www.cervezaysalud.es/doc/notaprensa_simposio_eng.doc

Programme

http://www.cervezaysalud.es/pdf/III%20simposioENG.pdf

Organizers: Cerveza y Salud (Beer and Health), The Spanish Ministry for Environment and Rural Development, Brewers of Spain, Brewers of Europe

H.M. King Juan Carlos I acted as the Honorary President of the Symposium.