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Boozy or Booze-Free: Beer's B6 Surprise
25 Apr
Summary
- Beer contains substantial levels of brain-boosting vitamin B6.
- Alcohol-free beer offers similar vitamin B6 content to regular beer.
- Barley is a key ingredient for higher vitamin B6 concentrations in beer.
New research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicates that a pint of beer can deliver substantial levels of vitamin B6, an essential nutrient for brain function. This finding applies to both alcoholic and alcohol-free beers.
The study analyzed 65 German beers, revealing that vitamin B6 concentrations varied widely, from 95 to over 1,000 micrograms per litre. These levels were consistently higher than previously estimated. Researchers attributed these variations primarily to the raw materials used, with barley being a key contributor due to its high B6 content.
Interestingly, the research found no significant difference in vitamin B6 content between regular lagers and their alcohol-free counterparts. This suggests that the process of removing alcohol does not negatively impact the vitamin's presence. Some alcohol-free lagers even performed exceptionally well, with one sample providing a quarter of a woman's daily B6 requirement in a 500ml serving.
Despite these findings, the study authors acknowledge that alcohol itself carries significant health risks. The World Health Organization emphasizes that no level of alcohol consumption is entirely safe, as alcohol is a known carcinogen and is linked to various health issues including liver disease and negative effects on brain function.
