We are committed to improving the understanding of beer and it’s health benefit – MD, Nigerian Brewery

 

By Victor Ogunyinka

 

The Managing Director of Nigerian Brewery, Mr Nicolaas Vervelde has reiterated that the organisation is committed to improving the understand of beer and it’s inherent benefits when consumed in moderation.

Vervelde made this know while welcoming participants and stakeholders to the second edition of the beer and lifestyle symposium at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos.

‎He explained that though beer had been around for a lifetime, its appreciation on health has only beginning to grow.

“‎Beer when consumed in moderation, can be a source of immense pleasure.  That is why I believe the theme for this year – Beer and Lifestyle is quite apt.  Even though beer has been with us for thousands of years, the appreciation of its unique benefits are only beginning to grow.  The knowledge about the benefits of moderate consumption of beer is multiplying every day with so many empirical research findings from all over the world.”

Also, ‎ Professor Emevwo Biakolo of the Pan Atlantic University Lagos and the Chairman of the conference, also submitted that moderate beer intake in the elderly appears to be associated with significantly longer survival in men aged 60–74 years and in all elderly women

“There is evidence that moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with better cognitive function in old age‎.”

One of the keynote speakers, ‎Dr Henk Hendricks, a biologist and a  project leader in the Institute for Food and Nutrition in The Netherlands, while speaking on ‘why moderate beer consumption is beneficial for cardiovascular health’, explained that that virtually all processes contributing to Cardio Vascular Diseases, CVD are beneficially effected. 

“‎Some of the inherent advantages of beer include: Low percentage of alcohol; large quantities of water; its role in rehydration;  a good source of minerals; a good source of polyphenolic antioxidants; contains anti-inflammatory xanthohumoles; and a large variety of raw materials, including gluten-free’ Rich in fibers.”

‎Hendricks concluded that while risk reduction is additive to other healthy life style factors like non-smoking, physical activity and a healthy diet,   moderate alcohol consumption fits in a healthy life style.