Could drinking IPAs be good for you?

Drinking IPAs in moderation has shown it does not have an adverse effect on health, according to a new study.

Research into plant potential as a new medication against cancers, has shown that India Pale Ale can assist in promoting antigenotoxic and non-mutagenic effects, evidence to suggest that while some alcoholic drinks are described for containing “toxins” IPA beers do not damage the body in the same way.

Hops have been one of the plants assessed in such studies and, according to new research in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, even though discussion of the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption is ongoing, studies into beers can “often reveal positive effects”.

The new SCI study evaluated the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of moderate chronic consumption of the hopped beer style of IPA and 64 adult male Swiss mice were used and divided into control and treatment groups receiving water, IPA beer with 55.23g of ethanol per litre of beer, aqueous solution with 55.23g of ethanol per litre, and hop infusion for 30 days. After this period, the animals were genetically evaluated and brain, liver, bone marrow and heart tissues were analysed.

According to the findings, “the groups treated with IPA beer, ethanol, and hops did not show genotoxic and mutagenic action in the blood, brain, heart, or liver”.

The scientists outlined that this was because “the antigenotoxic action of IPA beer” showed a “reduction in DNA damage”. The research concluded that “moderate chronic consumption of IPA beer and hops infusion showed antigenotoxic effects” and “no antimutagenic action”.

Last year, nutritional review revealed that beer could also exert ‘greater effects than probiotics’ and, in moderation, could be good for your gut and immunity, stimulating microbiota diversity – more evidence that beer and a healthy lifestyle can co-exist.