Lina Badimón, physician: “Beer can improve certain cardiovascular markers and reduce inflammatory responses”

The Royal National Academy of Pharmacy (RANF), under the direction of Dr. Ascensión Marcos, president of the partner organization International Society for Immunonutrition (ISIN), held a session on fermented foods and drinks – with a focus on beer and its relationship with gut microbiota and immune function – during the sixth edition of the Advanced Course on Immunonutrition, Sustainability and Health.

Beer and your gut

The session featured contributions from Ascensión Marcos, Lina Badimón of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Vic–Central University of Catalonia and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation for Health and Innovation (CiberCV); Alba Garcimartín from the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the UCM School of Pharmacy; and Francisco José Tinahones of the Málaga Institute of Biomedical Research and Nanomedicine Platform (IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND). They presented new findings on how diet, fermented foods and lifestyle patterns influence immune function.

During the course, Lina Badimón Maestro delivered a talk titled “Fermented beverages and the cardiovascular system: friends or foes?” where she examined the cardiovascular impact of different fermented drinks, including beer. She stressed that their effects vary depending on the type of beverage, the amount consumed and the broader dietary context, underscoring the essential role of moderation. “The available evidence indicates that moderate beer consumption may improve certain cardiovascular markers and reduce inflammatory responses, always within recommended limits for healthy adults and supported by an appropriate diet,” she said.

The role of diet in immune balance

For her presentation, “Mediterranean diet, fermented foods, immune system and obesity,” Ascensión Marcos highlighted that a varied diet rich in fiber, vitamins and polyphenols – paired with exercise, quality sleep, emotional balance and weight management – is fundamental to maintaining immune equilibrium. Within Immunonutrition research, it is now well established that the Mediterranean diet not only correlates with lower frailty and better cognitive capacity but also provides significant benefits for immune balance when paired with an active lifestyle. In this setting, fermented foods and beverages such as beer can be incorporated into a balanced routine, supporting microbial diversity, which is essential for effective immune defenses.

In his session, “Intermittent fasting, microbiota and the brain,” Francisco José Tinahones Madueño explained how eating patterns can shape microbiota composition and affect the gut–brain axis, including how fermented beverages like beer may influence microbial diversity and immune function.

The importance of food with beer

As the event concluded, the experts agreed on the value of a varied, high-quality diet grounded in the Mediterranean model and rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidant compounds. They emphasized that including fermented foods and drinks can enhance gut microbiota and support a more balanced immune system.

They also reiterated that any potential benefits linked to moderate beer consumption apply only when intake remains moderate and accompanies food, in line with Mediterranean lifestyle patterns, noting the recommended maximum amounts for healthy adults: 200–300 ml per day for women and 400–600 ml per day for men. They stressed the need to avoid stress-inducing activities, as these conditions can undermine the immune system’s efficiency.