Study toasts beer as being good for your bones
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – Beer drinkers now have a good excuse to order another round — the brew may help keep bones strong, a study has found.
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – Beer drinkers now have a good excuse to order another round — the brew may help keep bones strong, a study has found.
Researchers from the Department of Food Science & Technology at the University of California, have found beer is a rich source of silicon and may help prevent osteoporosis, as dietary silicon is a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density.
These were the findings after researchers tested 100 commercial beers for silicon content and categorized the data according to beer style and source.
Previous research has suggested beer contained silicon but little was known about how silicon levels varied with the different types of beer and malting processes.
“We have examined a wide range of beer styles for their silicon content and have also studied the impact of raw materials and the brewing process on the quantities of silicon that enter wort and beer,” researcher Charles Bamforth said in a statement.
The study, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, found the beers' silicon content ranged from 6.4 milligrams per liter to 56.5 mg per liter. The average person's silicon intake each day is between 20 and 50 mgs.
The researchers found there was little change in the silicon content of barley during the malting process as most of the silicon in barley is in the husk, which is not affected greatly during malting.
They found pale ales showed the highest silicon content while non-alcoholic beers, light lagers and wheat beers had the least silicon.
“Beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops are richest in silicon,” said Bamforth.
“Wheat contains less silicon than barley because it is the husk of the barley that is rich in this element.”
But Bamforth told reporters that the results shouldn't be taken too serious. The study examined the beers but it did not look at bone mineral density or analyze patients' data.
“I would first consider flavor and whether you like it or not,” he told science and technology magazine Discover. “Choose the beer you enjoy, for goodness sake.”
Source: Reuters
My Take
It turns out that beer has significant levels of the most bioavailable form of silicon, orthosilicic acid (OSA). And silicon may have a positive effect on connective tissue such as collagen and on growth and mineralization of bone, the latter especially in men and premenopausal women.1
Silicon is involved in bone growth processes by affecting bone collagen turnover and bone matrix proteins such as osteopontin. The latter is a glycoprotein that plays an important role in bone remodeling, wound healing, and certain types of cell-mediated immune responses.2
Have scientists found the pot of gold at the end of the bone-health rainbow? You’ll get the answer when we analyze this study with a fine-toothed comb.
Potential bone health benefits of beer are brewing up a storm
You see, even though dietary intake of silicon has been linked to greater bone mineral density, the devil is in the details: the study that created the “buzz” about beer and bone health doesn’t correlate beer drinking as beneficial to osteoporosis.
Conducted by the Department of Food Science & Technology at the University of California, Davis, Bamworth and Casey, the study authors, reveal that the barley husk is the principal contributor to silicon in beer.3 Also, after testing 100 beers for their silicon content, they observed that the pale colored malts retain the highest levels of silicon because they are more impervious to heat stress during the malting process.
Silicon is present in many alkalizing foods
Call me a party pooper, but I must tell you that beer is neither the best nor the only source of bone-friendly silicon. You see, beer is an acidifying drink because it contains alcohol. Granted, beer has lower alcohol levels than wine, vodka, whiskey, and other drinks, but it is still acidic and it can therefore draw calcium from your bones to correct the low pH. But that doesn’t mean that if you care about your bones you can’t enjoy an occasional beer; you can have it in the right balance, as is the case with any acidifying food or drink.
But the really good news is that highly bioavailable silicon is also found in many alkalizing foods such as beets, pumpkin, carrots, onions, cherries, apples, oranges, and raisins.
The highest levels of silicon are in the skin of cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Here's one of my favorite silicon rich recipes:
Better than Beer Salad
Serves 6
- 2 cucumbers, diced
- 6 tomatoes, diced
- 4 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 radishes, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 teaspoon lemon rind
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Black pepper and sea salt to taste
- 12 Kalamata olives for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a large serving bowl and garnish with olives.
Take the bone health benefits of beer with a grain of “hop”
As with any other acidifying food or drink, you can still enjoy a “cold one” making sure that it is in the right acid/alkaline proportion.
Also try to eat some cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes to nourish your bones with the most absorbable source of silicon and other bone-smart nutrients.
Now you know what the “buzz” is all about…
Cheers, and please leave your comments below.
References
1 Jugdaohsingh R, Tucker KL, Qiao N, Cupples LA, Kiel DP, Powell JJ. “Dietary silicon intake is positively associated with bone mineral density in men and premenopausal women of the Framingham Offspring cohort.” Journal of Bone Mineral Research.;19(2):297-307. (2004).
2 Forrest H. Nielsen and Rhonda Poellot. “Dietary Silicon Affects Bone Turnover Differently in Ovariectomized and Sham-Operated Growing Rats”. The Journal of Trace Elements in Experimental Medicine. 17:137–149 (2004).
3 Troy R. Casey and Charles W. Bamforth. “Silicon in Beer and Brewing.”.Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. February 2010.
Is Pale Ale the only beer that might help my bone density?
I remember reading in one of Vivian’s emails that a glass of wine is fine as long as you balance it with an alkaline snack. Hate beer! Love wine!
Anyone correlate osteoporosis with lack of hormones as we age & the aversion of hormonal replacement therapy from most of the medical community?
You don’t have to do hormone replacement therapy, though I don’t know whether a lack of hormones causes osteoporosis. Look into adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha root, maca root, and rhodolia rosea root to naturally correct hormone imbalances.
Beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This can be a good news for drinkers!
Keep it up Vivian
im always trying to find information on bones, cause i do have osteoarthritis,,,,, always looking for info. what foods to eat, or not to eat, what vitamins or herbs to take . and have been looking for ways to keep my body alkaline.,. but some of the things i need to eat, i have to avoid them cause i have fibromyalgia, too… but thanks for this info….
I wouldn’t mind getting the program but I will not give my credit card info on the internet. Is there any other way of paying?
Vivian,
I am grateful to have found your information through web search on Osteoporosis. I am soon to be 57, and must say I am terrified.
In a recent Dr. appointment, I have lost one (1) full inch in height since June 25, 2008.
A recent dental appointment has heightened this fear. I have been advised I have bone loss mass of a 72 year old. I broke a tooth on an olive pit, and before the mold could be made for a bridge, I was eating and bit down. When doing so, the only tooth behind it slid behind the back, bottom tooth and literally popped out of its socket.
I stepped down ever so gently and my foot slid off of a two inch rock and broke my big toe.
Suddenly, I am experiencing Neuropothy in my arm and lower back, causing the loss of the use of my legs.
The lack of supplemental insurance, combined with mounting Neurological, Orthopaedic, Dental is soring out of control with a fixed income.
Your information is invaluable to assist me in rebuilding my skeletal structure, and bone mass, rather than drugs.
I am going to save for these books, so that I can have a return in my structural/dental health.
The foods you write of in this article are within my dietary plan. The milk consumption is a surprise to me. When my daughter was born, it was nothing for us to consume five (5) gallons of milk a week.
Thank you again. Lois Lane
I would like to save my bones naturaly.
Hello Vivian
I am 80yrs young & have made my own beer for over 30 yrs.
Good to hear it is the way to go.
Dulce
I agree with you Vivian. The salad sounds very good.I love salads and that will be a good recipe to have. Thanks a lot Vivian!
Thank you, Vivian for this entire article:
My son can not go 1 day without beer probably 2 cans minimum. He knows how I feel about alcohol. It wasn’t in my parents house as I grew up. But his father taught him wine often. Even a glass of red wine is rare for me. I’m glad to have this article to send him because he does care to eat wisely, is a terrific cook and enjoys entertaining. Grows his own basil he chops finely to sprinkle on top of the olive oiled fresh from the garden tomatoes.
GREAT INFO ON MILK AND BONES.Is wheat bad for bones also ?
It is for sure bad for Celiacs. and maybe others
Whole wheat, robs your bones of calcium.
One of the most frustrating experiences I have encountered in the last few years, is the spraying and waxing of fruit and vegetables. The healthiest part of an apple or a cucumer must be peeled away. Even organic food has some spraying done.
Ev
Vivian, thank you so very much for all the informative articles you have researched, published and shared with us, esp for me, a bone density worrier, who have family history of osteoporosis and arthritis. I have been a health freak watching everything I ate and supplements I took but have overlooked that too much acid intake may caused bone less. My last bone density test last year resulted to 39 which is on normal level but my primary dr. still prescribed fosamax once a week which I did not take, but instead keep up with my religious intake of vit d 2000 daily with calcium 1200 daily in divided dosage each day. In the past I love drinking 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar with a cup of water 2 or 3x a day, maybe the reason why my bone density scan was low, and also resulted to so much bloating, cramping and gas esp after a meal. But since I started taking apple cider vinegar with 1/4 tsp baking soda and a cup of water, all the bloatings, cramping and gas were gone, once a day only, but have included only a tsp of honey for great taste. Does honey and apple cider vinegar helps with good bone density. I have experienced with 1/4 tsp or a pinch of baking soda dissolved in half tsp apple cider in quarter cup water, a fast relief for bloating/cramping. I am not a beer drinker but I like your salad recipe. I always try with what I have like cucumber with a tbsp apple cider vinegar and black pepper. Thank you for all your help and concern, and thanks to everyone who have informative comments regarding bone inssues.
Thank You so much Vivian to keep on checking on information for us with bone trouble and thank You very for the salad receipe it sounds delicious I am a salad lover Keep up the good work and may God bless You..You have my vote anytime..when I have no message from for a while I feel like theres something missing in my life as I depend a lot on all the info….
Gaspacho soup is great too. Has almost everything in the salad.
Hi Vivian ,I thought I responded to the beer alert, although I don’t drink at all, I shall stick with the suggested vegetables. Your salad looks tempting, I shall need to add tuna or chicken to it. I really enjoy all your healthy tips for maintaining our bones, keep them coming.Janet Talley
Thank you, Vivian, for your continued sharing of very important information for our bone health.
Veronica
I do plan on the natural way of bringing my bone density up, I have researched and will take supplements but not medication. Thanks for the information.
Vivian,
I apprecieate you for taking your time to research the beer issue. I have never tasted it and therefore have never had to worry about its effects on my body. I appreciate your information on which vegetables to eat to get the silicon that I need. I do wonder how much of these vegetables I have to eat in a day to get the right amount of silicon? If you could send an answer I would very much appreciate it!
Thank You!
Junette Argyle
What about tofu and soy
I really like like the point about beer’s acidity drawing calcium from the bones.
This is a great lesson about this kind of research that supports a particular industry, especially in the foods/beverages. In this case, Professor Bamforth and his colleagues are somewhat biased because they are brewers; they start with “Beer is good. Now let’s find out why…” Not particularly impartial research. Consumer of information beware.
But I’ll still continue loving beer
Vivian:
Thanks for the informative article and debates to hop to.
The “Devil is in…” I don’t like the taste of beer period. I don’t care who you are…, upon your first official drink of beer…you have to gulp it down to wash the horrible taste down. You really have to acquire a taste for beer. Secondly, I don’t like the effects that the poor kidneys and liver have to go through just to break this stuff down in your body. For one glass of wine or beer alone try about 12-14 hours. Not to mention that it is a physical depressant to motor functions/reactions. Thirdly, I prefer to have sharpen brain cell functioning instead of dull or delayed.
Hats off to you for informing me as a student to your bone classes. Kim Mack
Vivian,
Thank you for doing the reserach I do not have the time to do. You are absolutely the best source of info regarding osteoporosis and debunking a lot of hype regarding its cure. Kudos to you!
Jody
Dear Virginia!
Thanks for the info about beer. I am not a beer drinker, don’t like the taste of the stuff so I think I will stick to veggies. Any kind of veggies. I am a salad freak so hopefully that will help my bones to stay strong. Thanks again
Viola
Vivian, thanks for the beer comments. Have hypertension so can’t drink alcohol. If I could and you said drink it, I would. Feel like your book is gospel for me. Am following your suggestions in the back of your book for food. I have osteopenia. Love all your comments.
I do have osteoporosis in my lower spine. I have your book and am trying to follow the diet. I just came across Truvia, nature’s
sweetner. Should I be using the product.
Thank you
That salad sounds like an odd combination but I will try it.
Is there a test that can measure a person’s ph?
My sister-in-law says there is an ex-pharmacist turned naturalist in our area that makes a ph elixir to balance one’s ph. Is this possible?
I don’t drink beer as I see any form of alcohol as empty calories and a waste of money that I could be spending on healthy food.
Thank you for the heads-up on beer research (what will they think of next?!). Please keep up your work, Vivian. It is interesting and helpful, as well, to read all of the comments.
Thank you to everyone,
Andrea
Thanks again Vivian for all the good work you do to help people build strong bones. It is real epidemic with women. I also enjoy reading the comments other people add. We can learn so much. I have been taking Strontium for over a year as well and have been taking Silicea. I have a hard time keeping the 80 -20 for meals. I still eat too much acidic foods. I hadn’t heard about the buzz on beer. Carole
Love it!!! Keep the research coming!!! Thanks so much.
Thanks for sharing your information. You can always use an article like that to justify drinking something that is not healthy for mind, body, or spirit. What about alcohol damaging brain cells? Let’s see, do I want to eat those foods you mentioned or drink beer and damage my brain cells, liver, etc.? NOT
Hello Vivian
I have been making my own beer for 34yrs.Of course I drink beer but I also have a salad every day.
Nothing has changed for my aged body so all this leads to nowhere.
Dulce
Vivianne,
It helps to have you give updates as my patients always have questions and I don’t have the time to review everything out there. Have you looked at the Blood Type Diet by Dr. D’Adamo? I have found it extreemly useful with the patients who have diabetes and find he recommends acidic vs alkaline foods based on blood type which is really useful for bone management.
Thanks for your work!
Thank you Vivien for your wise and helpful comments about the beer. I don’t particularly like beer and would rather eat the salad you suggest.
I love receiving your emails and always take them to heart and act on them.
Very best wishes and thanks June
Doesn’t anyone drink beer? There is nothing better after a round of golf with good friends. Eat healthy food, enjoy beer and wine in moderation and above all – have fun.