Beer, Wine and Your Bones

If you like the taste of a good brew, then here is some good news! In a recent research study of over 2,900 women and men, researchers found that beer, which contains silicon, may promote bone health. Silicon is a mineral that is thought to stimulate collagen production, which is a building block in bone formation. Wine is rich is phytochemicals, which may also benefit bones. Research does not show, however, in the battle of the sexes, that beer or wine has better or less results in either men or women. In a recent WebMD interview, Katherine Tucker, PhD says that it is possible that two glasses of wine could benefit men, while women may get a bone boost from two cans of beer. Another study of 2,847 people from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study found that men and pre-menopausal women who drank the most silicon, about 40 mg a day, had the highest bone mineral density, a measurement of bone health. Silicon is rarely listed on food labels, so it is hard to tell exactly how much you are consuming. But, you can estimate that one 12-ounce beer has approximately 7 mg of silicon.

It is important is that you drink any alcoholic beverage in moderation because while two cans of beer or two 6 ounce glasses of wine may be good for promoting bone growth, drinking more is harmful. The not-so-good news is that if you drink distilled beverages such as vodka or Scotch, daily consumption of these beverages has shown to actually promote osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone-wasting disease that makes your bones brittle and more prone to breaks. The disease increases with age and is more common in women than men, especially postmenopausal women.

Drinking red wine has also shown to be linked to heart health. So, what we are seeing now is a diet that is good for the heart and another that is good for the bones. Because good nutrition is good for the heart, you can consider it good for the bones as well. Other studies have shown that good nutrition also plays a significant role in brain health.

So, how much beer or wine is good for your bones? Current recommendations are for two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. So, don't jump and run to a keg party quite yet, remember that moderation is best.

Now, if you are not a beer or wine drinker, don't start now just to promote bone growth. There are other ways to get silicon, and let us not forget that alcohol consumption raises other health risks such as osteoporosis itself. So, if you are interested in a healthier way to introduce silicon into your diet, you will want to eat dates, mangoes, melons, spinach, apples and even some bottled mineral waters will be good sources.

Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Copyright 2005, Michele Webb. All Rights Reserved.

Michele Webb owns her own website and is a member of a number of organizations for women Netpreneurs and business owners. She has over 20 years experience in health care, clinical trials, management, project management and software development. She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada USA with her two dogs.

You are invited to visit her website at: http://www.ebooksnstuff.com. Or, you can email the author at: support@ebooksnstuff.com

---

An Idiots Guide To Wine Tasting

Have you ever seen those stiff upper-lipped types doing a... Read More

Choosing that Perfect Wine for a Dinner Party

So, you find yourself having been invited to a dinner... Read More

Barbera Wine

Barbera is a wine grape variety from Monferrato in Piemonte,... Read More

Alchoholism, A Major Diesease?

Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all... Read More

Using Cooking Wine

Cooking wine is sort of a holdover from prohibition. People... Read More

Hosting A Wine Tasting Party

As your love and knowledge of wine grows, it is... Read More

Pairing Food and Wine is a Matter of Taste

First off let me say that I am in no... Read More

Uses of Mirror Tinted Contact Lenses

Mirror tinted contact lenses have become a topic of interest... Read More

Ideal Wine Temperature

The ideal temperature to store wines is between 55ºF and... Read More

A Private Owners Guide to Bottling Fine Whisky

The majority of private owners of whisky casks are looking... Read More

Beer and The Commodities Market

Most branded products and agricultural products are not commodities. However... Read More

Tempranillo?s Role As A New Varietal Wine In Australia

Tempranillo is the premium red wine grape variety from the... Read More

Wine Making and Home Brewing: Whats the Deal?

When it comes to making alcoholic beverages at home, wine... Read More

The Old Fashioned: Two Recipes of an Underrated Classic

Like many mixed drinks, the Old Fashioned has a number... Read More

What is Corked Wine?

Keeping a wine bottle sealed is probably the most important... Read More

The Stuff of Poetry ? Mead

People have been drinking fermented beverages since the dawn of... Read More

Tequila

It was once a ritual usually performed by a man.... Read More

Overcoming Red Wine Spills

Red wine spills can be a disaster whether they occur... Read More

Enjoy Your Favorite Wine - But With Some Rules

The mere mention of etiquette brings to mind various images,... Read More

Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting Component I: LookThe first step you have to... Read More

France Car Hire

Here is a quick summary of the different French wine... Read More

Merlot Wine

Merlot wine is a rich, soft wine with the flavor... Read More

Champagne

Champagne is without question the finest sparkling wine made in... Read More

The Ten Most Important Wine Label Terms

For the average wine consumer, there is a plethora of... Read More

Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape responsible for the wines of... Read More

The Origin of the Cocktail

The cocktail has the distinction of being an original American... Read More

The Harmony Between Food and Wine

Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in... Read More

Food - Wine Pairing Tips For French and Italian Wines

Many people are intimidated by the task of selecting wine... Read More

Start Your Wine Cellar The Right Way

One of the great joys of wine is to be... Read More

Pairing Beer With Food

Pairing beer with the fine cuisine has recently come to... Read More

How Sparkling Wine is Made

There are three methods that may be used to make... Read More

Beer, Wine and Your Bones

If you like the taste of a good brew, then... Read More

Sauvignon Blanc Wine

Sauvignon Blanc wine is crisp, high in acidity and light-... Read More