西班牙科學家的一項最新研究發現，經常喝啤酒的女性骨骼要更強健一些，而且患骨質疏松癥的幾率也較低。研究人員訪問了1700名平均年齡48歲的健康女性，了解她們的飲酒習慣，并對她們的手部骨骼進行超聲波掃描。結果顯示，喝啤酒的女性手部骨骼更加緊密。該研究認為，啤酒中含量極高的硅元素會減緩骨質疏松的速度，并促進新骨骼的形成；另外，啤酒中豐富的植物雌激素也可以幫助保持骨骼健康。研究人員表示，硅是骨骼形成中重要的元素，而在西方飲食中，啤酒被認為是最重要的硅攝入源。

Drinking beer regularly could stop bones from going brittle, according to scientists in Spain.

Drinking beer regularly could stop bones from going brittle, according to scientists in Spain.

A study found that the bones of women who drink beer regularly are stronger, making them less likely to suffer from osteoporosis.

It is thought that the high level of silicon in beer slows down the thinning that leads to fractures and boosts the formation of new bone, the journal Nutrition reports.

Beer is also rich in phytoestrogens, plant versions of oestrogen, which keep bones healthy.

Bones are made up of a mesh of fibres, minerals, blood vessels and marrow, and healthy ones are denser with smaller spaces between the different parts.

The researchers asked almost 1,700 healthy women with an average age of 48 about their drinking habits. They then underwent ultrasound scans of their hands, which showed the bones belonging to beer drinkers to be denser.

The women's hands were chosen because the bones in the fingers are among the first to show signs of osteoporosis, a disease of bone that leads to an increased risk of fracture.

Those who had less than a pint a day, whom scientists classed as light beer drinkers, fared just as well as those in the moderate bracket, suggesting that even small amounts can boost bone health.

The Spanish researchers said: "Silicon plays a major role in bone formation. Beer has been claimed to be one of the most important sources of silicon in the Western diet."

Three million Britons are affected by osteoporosis. It is most common in women after menopause.

相關閱讀

研究：有機食品未必更有營養

研究：罵人能緩解疼痛

喝酒的人眼里出美女?

啤酒肚更易患癡呆癥？

(Agencies)

Vocabulary:

osteoporosis: 骨質疏松癥

phytoestrogen: 植物雌激素

（英語點津 Helen 編輯）