According to researchers, beer is a rich source of a nutrient that helps prevent weak bones, making the likelihood of suffering from osteoporosis less likely. As one of the nation’s favourite drinks, it is a rich source of dietary silicon that reduces the chance of developing diseases like osteoporosis.

Researchers discovered beer, especially the pale ales to contain high levels of silicon known to slow down the thinning of bones that leads to fractures, including increasing new bone formations. However, not all beers are the same, as those containing malted barley and hops have a higher silicon content than those made from wheat.

The study’s findings also support previous research that suggests beer prevents brittle bones, especially in women.

Lead author Dr. Charles Bamforth from the University of California said, factors which influence silicon levels in the brewing of beer have not been studied extensively, however, they found they found lighter beers with a greater use of hops had the most silicon.

Silicon is present in its soluble form of orthosilicic acid (OSA) in beer and with half of it easily absorbed by the body; this makes beer a major contributor to silicon intake in Western diets.

Based on these findings, it is suggested that osteoporosis, a disease of the skeletal system characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, can be fought with a moderate consumption of beer.

Researchers found the extra heat used for malting darker beers tended to destroy some of the silicon, while beers with more hops had more silicon, naturally.

Often described as a silent epidemic of the 21st century, osteoporosis or low bone density alone results in over 200,000 fractures annually in the UK, with 3-million Britons affected by osteoporosis, costing the NHS over £1-billion a year.

The actual biological role silicon plays in bone health and formation is not yet known, though it is believed to help in the manufacture of collagen, one of its major components.

‘Beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops are richest in silicon,’ concludes Dr. Bamforth.

However, Dr. Claire Bowring from the National Osteoporosis Society said, this does not give people an excuse to head for the pub, as moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial for bones, while higher alcohol intake decreases bone strength. More than two units per day actually increase the risk of breaking a bone.

The research, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, involved examining 100 commercial beers and their production methods.