Beer boost for bones

In a revelation likely to make the health lobby choke on their All-Bran, scientists have discovered that drinking beer can actually be good for you.

A recent study at the University of California, Davis (UCD) has revealed that drinking certain beers is good for your bones.

An analysis of 100 commercial varieties found that beer is a good source of dietary silicon, which is important for bone health and could help prevent diseases like osteoporosis.

However, the levels of silicon vary depending on the type of beer and the malting process used to produce it.

Pale ales and malts have higher silicon levels than darker ales, while light and non-alcohol beers had the lowest levels of any of the drinks tested.

“Beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops are richest in silicon,” said Charles Bamforth, the lead researcher.

“Wheat contains less silicon than barley because it is the husk of the barley that is rich in this element.

“While most of the silicon remains in the husk during brewing, significant quantities of silicon nonetheless are extracted into wort and much of this survives into beer.”

30 milligrams of the nutrient could be obtained from just two beers, but as ever moderation was still the key message.

“Choose the beer you enjoy. Drink it in moderation. It is contributing silicon (and more) to your good health,” Bamforth added.

The study’s findings are part of wider awareness of the health benfits of drinking alcohol in moderation.

Several years ago it was suggested that red wine was a rich source of antioxidants and a glass or two a day could help prevent heart disease.

Rupert Millar, 10.02.2010