News: Beer may be good for bones

Fantastic news for those who love their suds: Moderate beer drinking may help fight osteoporosis, reports CBC News.

A study published in the February issue of the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture suggests that beer is a good source of dietary silicon, which is important for bone growth and development.

Researchers found that pale, malt ales contain more dietary silicon than darker brews, possibly because barley and hops are richer in silicon than wheat.

There’s no specific daily recommendation for silicon intake, but the CBC’s article notes that experts suggest consuming 20 to 50 mg. You can get about 29.4 mg in a little more than a pint and a half of beer. However, it’s good to keep in mind that one bottle of beer contains about 140 calories (and about 5 percent alcohol, so moderation is key).

I’m thinking that after my university days, my bones must be pretty strong, indeed.

What’s your favourite type of beer?

Related:
‘ 5 myths about osteoporosis
‘ Osteoporosis: Why you need to act now
‘ Recipe: Beef in Beer