Researchers found that some beers contain measurable amounts of vitamin B6, with a typical serving sometimes providing around 15% to 20% of the daily requirement.Alcohol-free beers also contained vitamin B6, and in some cases even more than standard lager.Nutrition experts say the finding is interesting, but beer should not be treated as an important source of vitamins.
A new study suggests that beer can contain meaningful amounts of vitamin B6, a nutrient involved in brain function, blood health and the immune system.
The vitamin comes from ingredients used in brewing, including barley, wheat and brewer’s yeast.
According to the researchers, the brewing process does not destroy all of it.
The team tested 65 beers bought from supermarkets in Germany.
They found that Bock beer tended to contain the most vitamin B6, while rice beers contained the least.
Average lager in the study provided about 20% of the recommended daily allowance.
Some alcohol-free lagers also performed well, with one sample providing close to 59%.
That sounds impressive at first glance.
But it needs putting in perspective.
Vitamin B6 is found in plenty of ordinary foods, including meat, fish, oats, potatoes, chickpeas and fortified breakfast cereals.
In the UK, true vitamin B6 deficiency is rare.
That is why nutrition experts are not getting carried away by the beer finding.
The message is not that people should start drinking for their vitamins.
It is simply that beer contains more of this nutrient than some people may realise.
If anything, the more useful point may be for alcohol-free beer, which could provide some vitamin B6 without the downsides of alcohol.
Still, if you want to improve your vitamin intake, your diet is the place to start, not the pub.