Pint A Day Keeps Osteoporosis Away

Drinking a pint of beer a day may stave off osteoporosis, scientists have said.

New research shows that the alcohol in beer appears to suppress the hormones that promote bone loss. And researchers say it may have a better effect on preventing bone loss than calcium.

An estimated three million people in Britain suffer from osteoporosis - a condition which causes bones to weaken and fracture easily. The condition usually affects the whole skeleton, but it most commonly causes breaks in the wrists, spine and hips. It costs the NHS around $1.7billion every year.

Previous studies have shown that silicon found in beer can help strengthen bones. New research by scientists at King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals in London, tested groups of healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 50.

The participants were given a variety of beers with different alcoholic strengths, including non-alcoholic. Results showed that over a six-hour period, the ethanol in the beer appeared to block various hormones that lead to weaker bones. The findings are expected to be published later this year.

Professor Jonathan Powell, who led the study, said: "This is a very interesting finding. Everyone knows that calcium inhibits bone loss but we found that the ethanol in beer has the same, if not better, effect."

Professor Powell, who is based at the Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research in Cambridge, added: "Moderation, of course, is the key, and we know that drinking too much beer can have real adverse effects."

The Daily Mail