Forget Kombucha, if a recent study is correct, you should skip the probiotics and drink Belgian beer to help treat your stomach woes.
At least that’s what Eric Claassen, a professor who specializes in microbiology and probiotics at Amsterdam University, is suggesting. According to Claassen, strong beers can be very good for gut health when consumed in moderation, The Telegraph reports.
Claassen presented his findings at a recent conference hosted by Yakult, a Tokyo-based company that produces a probiotic milk beverage of the same name. His research suggests that consuming strong (higher-ABV) Belgian beers like Hoegaarden and Westalle Tripel, which are rich in healthy probiotic microbes, can present a range of health benefits from better sleep to fighting obesity.
The difference between strong beers and most commercial beers lies in the production method. Belgian beers undergo two fermentations — one in the brewery and another in bottle — whereas other beers usually only undergo just one.
“You are getting a stronger beer that is very, very healthy,” Claassen told attendees of the Yakult conference. “In high concentrations, alcohol is bad for the gut, but if you drink just one of these beers every day it would be very good for you,” he added.
If beer isn’t your thing, Claassen says you can stick to Italian food. The cuisine is rich in probiotics, that arrive via staples such as garlic, onions, asparagus, and artichokes.
As for what happens if you drink Belgian beer with Italian food? Can’t hurt to find out…
