Opening Keynote
A Bottle a Day Keeps the Doctor Away: The Facts and Fallacies About the Health Effects of Beer
Opening Session
Thursday, October 8 • 8:15–9:45 a.m. • Grand 6–8
Carol A. Westbrook, Geisinger Health Systems, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Beer has long been considered to be a healthy and nutritious beverage, and some of its components were valued for their medicinal properties. Recently, though, many negatives to drinking beer have been advanced in the popular press, much of which is not based on scientific evidence. Our objective is to examine the science behind these claims. We will review nutritional properties of yeast and barley and potential medicinal uses of hops. We will look closely at alcohol, which is responsible for most of the health effects of beer. We will look at alcohol metabolism and its nutrition effcts, as well as central nervous system effects of intoxication, hangovers, and chronic alcoholism. We will examine perceived effects on cardiovascular health, cancer risk, and liver damage, differentiating effects due to moderate vs. excessive drinking. We hope to answer whether a beer each day truly keeps the doctor away.
Biography:
Carol A. Westbrook received her a Ph.D. in biochemistry and her M.D. at the University of Chicago. She went on to a successful career in research, teaching, and clinical medicine as a professor at the University of Chicago, and later at the University of Illinois. She retired from academics after twenty years and in 2006 began her second career as a full-time physician.
Carol Westbrook has written over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles and two books. Her first book, Ask An Oncologist: Honest Answers to Your Cancer Questions, provides helpful advice and insight on the cancer, its treatment, and the medical system around it. Her second book, To Your Health! The Beer Doctor on Good Beer, Good Times, and the Finer Things of Life, is a collection of her essays on beer, covering topics as diverse as the health benefits of beer, cooking with beer, and the flavors of craft beer.
Beer is her passion and her hobby. In addition to being a home brewer, she writes a blog, The Beer Clinic, for YourBeerNetwork.com, where she is known as "The Beer Doctor."
Carol is currently practicing as a Medical Oncologist in the Geisinger Health System in northeast Pennsylvania. She divides her time between Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, and Beverly Shores, Indiana.
Closing Keynote
What Does Scientific Policy Have to Do with a Pint?
Closing Session
Saturday, October 10 • 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • Grand 6–8
Joy Dubost, Beer Institute, Washington, D.C.
Does science drive policy or does policy drive science? The current regulatory environment is impacting the beer industry, including the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) menu labeling and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2015 Dietary Guidelines. The federal menu labeling law requires alcohol beverages listed on standard drink menus to list calories and provide additional nutrition information upon request. Starting December 1, 2016, if you are a restaurant or retail food establishment with more than 20 locations nationwide, you will be required to list calories on the menu. This impacts the beer industry as we will be expected to provide nutrition information. In addition, the pending Dietary Guidelines are used as the basis for educating consumers, shaping public behavior, and driving policy. This includes guidance on beer consumption, including the so-called “standard drink” and its health impact. We will review the current regulatory landscape on Capitol Hill and how these policies may impact your pint.
Biography:
Joy Dubost is the senior director of science and external affairs at the Beer Institute. In this position, she leads the development, evaluation, and advocacy of their scientific regulatory policies and positions as well as the responsibility programs. Previous to joining the Beer Institute she worked at the National Restaurant Association where she was the senior director of nutrition. She is a registered Dietitian, Board Certified in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), and has a Ph.D. in food science from Penn State University. She has worked in the areas of food science and nutrition for over 15 years, including nutrition communications and education, public policy, and product development. She also serves as a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is a Master Brewers Association of the Americas beer steward and is an avid home brewer.
