Some beers can strengthen bones, claim scientists

Beer can help make bones stronger although it depends on the type of beer you drink according to new research from scientists at the University of California.

The study found that beer is rich in dietary silicon, which can help cut the chance of developing diseases like osteoporosis, according to the Guardian.

But beers made from wheat contain less of the nutrient than malted barley and hops. Meanwhile some light lagers made from grains like corn have the lowest level of dietary silicon, the report, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, said.

Charles Bamforth, lead author of the study, said: "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."

But health professionals said that while beer was known to be a good source of dietary silicon, they did not recommend that anyone increased their consumption of beer on the basis of the report.

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By Neil Gerrard

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