For Stronger Bones Drink Beer?
Published on February 11, 2010 by AlmaG in Food
A new study on beer published by ‘The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture’ this month revealed that it can help make bones stronger.
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Bones become thinner, or less dense as we grow old because it loses calcium and other minerals that make the bones porous, and increases the chance that it might break. Bone density can be measured using a special x-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound. If your bone density is lower than the normal, then you can take steps to increase your bone strength, and reduce your chances of having a fracture.
Beer is a rich source of dietary silicon which plays a major role in bone formation. Silicon is available only in fluids such as water and beer, but not from solid foods. In the study made, beer can contribute to bone mineral density. But the amount of silicon varies by the type of beer.
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Some 100 commercial beers were tested by researchers, and they found that their silicon content ranged from 6.4 to 56.5 milligrams per liter. The study wasn’t only about the content of silicon on the beers, but also on the impact of raw materials, and the brewing process on the quantities of silicon that enter wort and beer.
According to Charles Bamforth, a professor in the food science and technology department of the University of California, beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops are richest in silicon. 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.
So, drinking beer does have its benefits, but it depends on what type of beer. Always remember that anything in excess is bad for your health so drink moderately.
http://quazen.com/recreation/food/for-stronger-bones-drink-beer/
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