'Beer is good for bones'

CHEERS TO THAT (BEER)

London:  Beer is a significant source of dietary silicon, a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density, and hence a moderate consumption may help fight osteoporosis.

               An international team has carried out the study and found that beer is rich in silicon-a mineral found in barley, a key ingredient in the beverage - which survives the brewing process as orthosilicic acid. And,according to the study, it's silicon which helps strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis, a disease that is characterised by low bone mass as well as the deterioration of bone tissue.

                Lead researcher Charles Bamforth of California University was quoted by the British media as saying, " Beer containing high levels of malted barley and hops are richest in silicon. It's the husk of barley that's rich in this element. While most remains during brewing, significant quantities are none the less extracted into wort and survive into beer." PTI