Griffith study explores how beer can be manipulated to improve its rehydration potential

Mar 27 2015

It was only recently that Griffith University research showed that it’s possible to improve the hydrating effects of beer without killing off its taste.

Associate Professor Ben Desbrow from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland has now extended his study of beer to see how it can be further manipulated to improve its rehydration potential.

Taking 12 males into the lab, tests entailed them drinking beers of varying strengths following a controlled exercise-induced weight loss activity.

His study, ‘Manipulations to the alcohol and sodium content of beer for post exercise rehydration’ published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, found that a large concentration of electrolytes added to beer further enhances an individual’s fluid retention following low alcohol beer consumption.

Additionally, the study found that the rehydration potential of mid strength beer is also affected by electrolyte enrichment. Specifically, that the concentration of electrolytes appears to have more significant impact on post exercise fluid retention than small changes in the alcohol content of beer.

Based on this latest research, Associate Professor Desbrow and his team are now seeking to further understand beer consumers’ motivations using an online questionnaire.

“Now that we know that beer can be manipulated in a variety of ways to enhance its health giving potential, the next step is to find out the attitudes of the beer drinking population,” he says. “We want to know their attitudes to beer drinking and what influences their behaviour. What are the financial and lifestyle factors that affect their beer choices and which factors make it more appealing to them?

“We know that a large number of people enjoy beer and given that it is a plant-based beverage, there is definitely room to improve beer’s health profile.”

Associate Professor Desbrow is calling for study participants to complete a short online survey https://erssurvey-prd-gc.rcs.griffith.edu.au/prodls190/index.php?sid=37617&lang=en.

Participants need to be Australian residents or citizens and must drink beer at least once a fortnight.