Beer and Vitamin B6: A Study Suggests Benefits

A recent study published in a respected German journal suggests that a glass of beer can add a “significant amount” of vital brain-boosting vitamins to your diet.

This research indicates that vitamin B6, beneficial for the brain, blood, and immune function, can be found in various foods, including cold beer.

The study states that consuming “one pint” of beer could provide about 15% of the daily requirement for vitamin B6. Interestingly, alcohol-free lager can offer similar benefits.

Ingredients like barley, wheat, and brewer’s yeast, which are used in beer production, contain vitamin B6. Moreover, findings suggest that not all vitamin B6 is depleted during brewing.

Vitamin B6 is essential and can be sourced from various foods. While meat and fish are excellent sources, it can also be found in oatmeal, porridge, potatoes, and chickpeas. Many breakfast cereals are fortified with it as well.

The study examined 65 beers bought from local supermarkets in Germany and uncovered several findings:

• Bock beer topped the list for B6 content, followed by lager, dark lager, and wheat beer.
• Rice beer was found to have the lowest B6 levels.
• Non-alcoholic beer that underwent ethanol removal after complete fermentation showed higher B6 concentrations than non-alcoholic options made with less ethanol-producing yeast.
• The average lager tested provided about 20% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6.
• One non-alcoholic lager even reported a B6 level of nearly 59%.

The study indicates that both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers can be meaningful sources of vitamin B6 and related nutrients crucial for metabolism and oxygen transport.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends that men should aim for about 1.4 mg of vitamin B6 daily, while women should aim for 1.2 mg.

With beer being one of the oldest and most popular beverages worldwide, it is thought to contain between 0.3mg and 1mg of essential vitamins. However, moderation is key.

While beer can help meet daily intake needs, experts caution against relying on it as a primary source of alcohol due to potential health risks associated with alcohol consumption.