Is beer good for bone health?
Medical experts are querying a recent animal rights organisation advert which claims that beer consumption could improve bone health. The post Is beer good for bone health? appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Medical experts are querying a recent animal rights organisation advert which claims that beer consumption could improve bone health.
In a video, posted from PETA's official YouTube channel, a person can be heard saying: "drinking beer can actually prevent bone loss and osteoporosis, likely because it contains the micronutrient silicon. In moderation, beer is healthier than cow's milk."
Despite the claims, medical experts have responded to say that the advertisement offers a “dangerous misrepresentation of scientific research that could mislead consumers” and highlighted how alcohol consumption is actually still “a risk factor for osteoporosis”.
The advert, which promotes beer as a "bone-healthy" drinks choice and looks to discourage people from consuming milk, is being discussed in First Check reports which obtained Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) senior principal scientist Dr Mukesh Kapoor’s views on the suggestions.
Kapoor said: "Cherry-picking of data is being done to establish health benefits from beer consumption."
According to Kapoor, the study in question that the advert is referring back to was published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture and was led by University of California Davis researchers. As part of the study, the scientists had analysed silicon levels in 100 commercial beers, primarily from North American and European breweries, but did not examine any connection to bone density or health outcomes.
The original study found that beers contained an average of 29.4 mg/L of silicon, with India Pale Ales showing the highest silicon content at 41.2 mg/L.
However, gastroenterologist Dr Anand Chandra pointed out how in the east, specifically markets such as India, the beer market is dominated by mild lagers and so for countries where beer consumption does not offer up these styles, the advert was “misleading”.
Chandra explained: "Not only is it misleading to promote alcohol for bone health, but the silicon content argument doesn't even apply to most beers Indians consume.“
Chandra noted how “Indian lager and similar Indian beers use significant rice content in their brewing process, which results in lower silicon levels. Using these beverages as a silicon source makes even less sense in our context”.
Medical professionals have also reiterated the point that drinking alcohol actually increases fracture risk.
Chandra added: "Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for osteoporosis” and said that claims about beer's bone-health benefits would be "premature".
Despite this, previous research has shown promising connections between dietary silicon and bone health. For instance, in a 2004 study it was discovered that there were associations between higher silicon intake and increased hip bone density in men and premenopausal women.
Regardless of the studies however, experts still stress that such benefits could be achieved through whole grains and vegetables instead.
In a video, posted from PETA's official YouTube channel, a person can be heard saying: "drinking beer can actually prevent bone loss and osteoporosis, likely because it contains the micronutrient silicon. In moderation, beer is healthier than cow's milk."
Despite the claims, medical experts have responded to say that the advertisement offers a “dangerous misrepresentation of scientific research that could mislead consumers” and highlighted how alcohol consumption is actually still “a risk factor for osteoporosis”.
The advert, which promotes beer as a "bone-healthy" drinks choice and looks to discourage people from consuming milk, is being discussed in First Check reports which obtained Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) senior principal scientist Dr Mukesh Kapoor’s views on the suggestions.
Kapoor said: "Cherry-picking of data is being done to establish health benefits from beer consumption."
According to Kapoor, the study in question that the advert is referring back to was published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture and was led by University of California Davis researchers. As part of the study, the scientists had analysed silicon levels in 100 commercial beers, primarily from North American and European breweries, but did not examine any connection to bone density or health outcomes.
The original study found that beers contained an average of 29.4 mg/L of silicon, with India Pale Ales showing the highest silicon content at 41.2 mg/L.
However, gastroenterologist Dr Anand Chandra pointed out how in the east, specifically markets such as India, the beer market is dominated by mild lagers and so for countries where beer consumption does not offer up these styles, the advert was “misleading”.
Chandra explained: "Not only is it misleading to promote alcohol for bone health, but the silicon content argument doesn't even apply to most beers Indians consume.“
Chandra noted how “Indian lager and similar Indian beers use significant rice content in their brewing process, which results in lower silicon levels. Using these beverages as a silicon source makes even less sense in our context”.
Medical professionals have also reiterated the point that drinking alcohol actually increases fracture risk.
Chandra added: "Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for osteoporosis” and said that claims about beer's bone-health benefits would be "premature".
Despite this, previous research has shown promising connections between dietary silicon and bone health. For instance, in a 2004 study it was discovered that there were associations between higher silicon intake and increased hip bone density in men and premenopausal women.
Regardless of the studies however, experts still stress that such benefits could be achieved through whole grains and vegetables instead. 
