Beer contains vitamin B6 but this is why it may not be the most sensible way to get it
A new international study has revealed that beer contains measurable levels of vitamin B6, a nutrient linked to brain function, blood health and the immune system, but nutrition experts insist that reaching for a pint is far from the healthiest strategy for improving vitamin intake.
The research, published in the ACS Publications journal, found that several types of beer, including some alcohol-free lagers, contain what scientists described as “substantial levels” of vitamin B6 due to ingredients such as barley, wheat and brewer’s yeast used during brewing.
Researchers tested 65 beers purchased from supermarkets in Germany and discovered that traditional Bock beer recorded the highest vitamin B6 levels, followed by lagers, dark lagers and wheat beers. Rice beers, however, contained the lowest levels of the nutrient.
According to the findings, an average lager could provide about 20 per cent of the recommended daily vitamin B6 intake, while one alcohol-free lager tested delivered nearly 59 per cent. The researchers noted that the brewing process does not completely destroy the vitamin naturally present in brewing ingredients.
Vitamin B6 is regarded as an essential nutrient that supports normal brain development, immune defence and healthy blood formation. The NHS recommends that men consume about 1.4mg daily and women about 1.2mg.
Professor Michael Rychlik, one of the study’s authors, said the findings may be useful for consumers seeking to optimise their vitamin intake. However, he acknowledged that the levels are not high enough for beer manufacturers to market their products as vitamin-rich beverages under existing food regulations.
Despite the results, health experts are urging caution against interpreting the study as encouragement to consume more alcohol.
Bridget Benelam of the British Nutrition Foundation stressed that vitamin B6 deficiency is relatively uncommon because the nutrient is widely available in ordinary foods such as meat, fish, oats, potatoes, chickpeas and fortified breakfast cereals.
“We wouldn't suggest that beer or any alcoholic drink is seen as a key source of nutrients. That should be from diet,” she said.
She explained that most people consuming balanced diets are unlikely to suffer from vitamin B6 deficiency, although low levels can sometimes occur alongside deficiencies in other B vitamins such as vitamin B12.
Nutrition specialists also pointed out that excessive alcohol consumption carries significant health risks that outweigh any potential nutritional benefits associated with beer.
The study nonetheless highlighted an interesting finding regarding alcohol-free beers. Researchers observed that some non-alcoholic lagers retained considerable amounts of vitamin B6, especially those produced through ethanol removal after fermentation rather than low-alcohol yeast processes.
Experts say that while the findings provide useful insight into beer’s nutritional profile, they should not distract from the broader message that healthy diets remain the safest and most effective source of essential vitamins.
The research comes at a time when alcohol-free beverages are increasingly gaining popularity globally, with many consumers seeking products that offer lifestyle benefits without the harmful effects associated with alcohol consumption.
Files from BBC/Diabetes.co.uk
