Beer consumption may help prevent osteoporosis, but healthy diet is best choice

Few pairings are more quintessentially American than beer and baseball.

With professional baseball’s season beginning this month, beer lovers might take note: New findings from researchers in California suggest that the silicon found in beer may help build stronger bones.

But Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, says that while beer may have bone-building properties, the better choice remains a health-conscious diet. Moderation for most adults generally means no more than two 12 oz. beers a day for men, and one for women.

“Although beer has some bone building effects, a better bet for bone health is a healthy diet with calcium rich foods, vitamin D, and regular physical activity,” Ms. Sandon says.

Pale-colored beers loaded with malted barley and hops – those generally found in the India Pale Ale category – pack the most silicon. While there is no recommended daily intake for silicon, the California researchers report that two liters of beer would likely provide the average daily intake. Two liters is roughly 68 ounces, the equivalent of four bar-standard pint glasses.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/nutrition to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in nutrition.

Media Contact: Kristen Holland Shear