ALEXANDRIA, VA – In an effort to educate the medical community about the potential health benefits of moderate beer consumption, the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) took its healthy lifestyle message to approximately 8,000 physicians assistants (PAs) at the American Academy of Physicians Assistants (AAPA) 2007 Annual Conference this week in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

PAs – licensed health care professionals who conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, assist in surgery and write prescriptions – typically interact with patients more often than physicians and are well-positioned to provide healthcare and nutrition consultation.

“Physicians assistants are on the front lines in the medical community,” said NBWA Vice President of Public Affairs Rebecca Spicer. “They report that patients are hungry for quality information about the link between moderate alcohol consumption and health, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health. NBWA is committed to working with them to educate patients about this issue.”

At the conference, NBWA sponsored an exhibit where the Public Affairs team including Vice President Rebecca Spicer, Senior Communications Manager Erin Rutherford and Nutrition Consultant Nancy Piho, spoke with attendees and shared the results of several studies concerning moderate alcohol consumption – considered by the U.S. government to be one 12 oz. beer a day for women and two 12 oz. beers a day for men. Registered Dietitian Hillary Wright joined the group in PAs.

Research made available to PAs included a study which explains how silicon, an element found in beer, can build bone density in pre-menopausal women. PAs also learned about a study showing that ethanol found in beer may help thin the blood and reduce dangerous inflammation that can lead to heart attacks. The group also held a reception for PAs in cardiology who have a heightened interest in moderate alcohol consumption as it relates to heart health.

“Study after study has shown a link between moderate alcohol consumption and heart health, but many people are not aware of studies that also link moderate beer consumption to bone health and even diabetes prevention,” said Spicer. “We look forward to continuing the dialogue with physicians assistants as we learn more about this research.”

Participation in AAPA’s annual conference is one way that NBWA is spreading the word about the possible health benefits of beer. In 2006, the NBWA Education Foundation and the University of Maryland’s Center for Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy sponsored Beer: To Your Health, a symposium that featured national and international experts who shared their findings on moderate alcohol consumption and risk communication. It was the first event of its kind in the U.S. to focus on the possible health benefits of beer.