Older women could guard against osteoporosis in later life by drinking a pint of beer a day.
new study has shown that ale is an ideal source of dietary silicon,
which is crucial in the formation of new bone. Bone is continuously
being lost and reformed and silicon is vital for helping to renew it.
silicon is contained in some plants and beans, one of the richest and
most easily absorbed sources is beer, as it is an ingredient of the malt
used in the brewing process. Several previous studies have shown that
there is a direct correlation between the amount of silicon in a
person’s diet and their bone mineral density.
In the new study, Professor Jonathan
Powell, head of nutrition research at Cambridge University, studied the
effects of beer on bone formation and found that ethanol – which is
also present in alcohol – helps to prevent bone loss and silicon
encourages the growth of new bone.
combines with the hormone oestrogen to produce a beneficial effect and
as women age, their oestrogen levels fall, and so, as they get older, it
is important for women to take in a good daily amount of silicon,’ says
Source - Daily Mail