Is there calcium in beer?

It’s time to settle the debate. Does beer contain calcium? This question has been asked by many and ignored by some…but not us! We have dug deep into the brew-soaked trenches to give you an answer that is as entertaining as it is informative.

The importance of Calcium

Calcium plays a crucial role in our daily lives, from maintaining strong bones and teeth to regulating muscle function, nerve transmission, and blood clotting. It is essential for life itself – without calcium, we wouldn’t exist.

So naturally, when this vital mineral pops up in a conversation about beer – one of humanity’s most celebrated inventions – it raises eyebrows. But rest assured (1)– everyone’s favorite beverage isn’t entirely devoid of this critical mineral.

Brewing 101: What goes into making beer?

Before diving into how much calcium beer has let’s first get an idea of what goes into brewing your favorite pint:

  • Water
  • Malted grains (usually barley)
  • Hops
  • Yeast

The yeast consumes sugar extracted from malted grains during fermentation resulting in alcohol production (2). Brewers spend a considerable amount of time debating water quality since any imbalance could disrupt the balance between hops bitterness level & sweetness derived from malts but also affect minerals such as potassium sulfates (stay with me here) allowing brewers control over their preference on flavor profiles .

However, the elements listed above do not contain anywhere near enough Calcium alone to achieve its RDA (recommended dietary allowance). So where does this all-important mineral come from?

Meet Gypsum!

Drum roll please; enter Gypsum! Conveniently named– gypsum (aka CaSO4·2H2O ) contains around five percent lime which means roughly 20% is made up solely out of Calcium (source). Here are some trivia on this minerally-rock before we continue:

  • Gypsum is used in everything from soil conditioners to lifesaving medical applications.
  • When heated, gypsum turns into Plaster of Paris, great for making decorative wall sculptures.
  • Fun Fact: You can also find it as an ingredient in tofu and processed cheese.

Brewers use the mineral to adjust their water PH levels by removing hardness (source), allowing them more control over hop extraction whilst keeping calcium absorption & yeast flocculation manageable without overpowering bitterness or sweetness.

So why not only add Calcium to the mix?

According to beer brewmasters, adding too much Calcium doesn’t promote sweet flavour consistency instead increasing astringency (you know that dry feeling after you drink excessively tannic red wine? Yes– imagine that but as a beer) which brings unhappiness among non-nature liking drinkers known colloquially as “beer snobbery” (a real thing – it’s google official!)

So how much calcium does a pint of beer contain anyway?

Are you ready for this math moment with physics (kinda)?

Calcium amounts vary per recipe and depend on where exactly the water comes from. So there isn’t an exact answer within all forms unless they’re standardized based on makeup diversity within batches.

Less exciting: here are base stats for various popular beers shared via Nutrionix (source):

Beer Type Calcium content in milligrams(mg)
Stout 6
IPA 23
Light Beer 5
Wheat Beer 12
Pilsner 3

So yes, beer contains calcium but is not recommended for meeting your RDA (pardon the party pooper rai- I mean our friend….[awkward pause] Kshiraj). Think of it as a fun way to add variety to your diet without worrying too much about upping calcium intake or questioning why all brewers don’t standardize their batches like milk…maybe they;re just busy enjoying their drinks.

Conclusion

Beer may not be rich in Calcium, but its use does indeed prove invaluable! Cheers to brewers worldwide who keep successfully balancing PH levels while offering an endless array of unique flavours.

In summary: Gypsum = good – over addition= snobbery——Calcium +beer; Fun & satisfying – doesn’t meet RDA—– Brewers = Superstars.

Until next time!

Note: The information provided here should solely serve entertainment purposes and not be treated as advice or recommendations relating to lifestyle choices such as alcoholic beverages

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