Instead of the daily pint of the white stuff keeping bones healthy, scientists have found that stronger associations can be made between bone mineral density and beer.
However good this news may sound for regular drinkers, don't get too excited because the study also proves that binge-drinking damages bones and makes them weaker.
The research carried out by Professor Katherine L Tucker from Jean of Agriculture Human Nutrition based in Boston U.S.A indicates bone health is affected by ingredients other than alcohol. Unfortunately for some, research also states it should not be consumed just for developing stronger bones.
Dr John David Keel, a GP at Sheffield Hallam University's Medical Centre believes there could be a positive connection between beer and bones strength but this should not be misinterpreted;
"There is a relationship between large numbers of people having strong BMD (bone mineral density) who also drink on a moderate level, which means that the alcohol is not deteriorating bone strength but could be making them slightly stronger"
The same studies say that older women who have a heavy alcohol intake could be associated with an increase in bone density, thereby protecting against fractures caused by osteoporosis.
In the findings, men who consumed one or two drinks a day of total alcohol or beer had a greater bone density at the hip (4.5%) than the non drinkers (3.4%). Postmenopausal women who drank more than two drinks a day of total alcohol or wine had significantly greater bone density at the hip and spine (8.3%) than non-drinkers (5.0%).
Further research suggested Men who drank more than two drinks a day of spirits were associated with significantly lower bone density at the hip (3.0%) than those who drank one to two drinks a day of spirits (5.2%).
Gary Peters (18) is like every other student; he samples the West Street nightlife every Thursday and he sticks to beer not because it builds strong bones but because it's cheap as he stresses there can be no positives effects what so ever;
"I mainly drink beer on night out because it's less expensive than spirit and mixers, but not drinking it to improve the strength of my bones, which is just crazy. If I was weak in that department I would drink more milk."
The research is surprising, which just makes me wonder how long it will be until we can have pints of beer delivered on our door step instead of milk. I wouldn't complain.
Sheffield Hallam University has illustrated the importance to sustain healthy teeth and well-being by opening its doors on the new postgraduate education unit.
The recently finished state of the art facility is aimed to enhance trainee health professionals’ development of the management and leadership skills essential to have a successful career.
Prof Rhiannon Billingsley, pro-vice chancellor at Hallam University, said “The new medical building will work closely with practitioners to ensure that courses add real value of profession the participants.
This latest step of innovative learning methods proves that Hallam has is leading the way in supporting professional development that goes hand in hand with courses designed to make a difference to peoples working lives.”
Medical Student Sam Grimthorpe (24) believes that the latest addition to the Hallam campuses will be a great acquisition for both the University and participants;
“All will feel the benefits, Hallam will receive recognition from all over showing the passion it has for progressing education onto another level others cannot compete with. For us the students our knowledge on the subject will improve to an exceptionally advanced stage due to the involvement with practical activities making this more interesting.”
Along the same thoughts were those of Lord Naren Patel, one of the country’s leading obstetricians who opened the establishment, stating;
“The centre is an invaluable resource for trainee doctors and dentists who recognise ongoing training is vital to progress in the foreseeable future.”
By Jay Sreekumar Days after your birthday party, you dream of every day being like that.
Weeks after a family holiday, you tend to think why we couldn't make these trips more often. Months after you find your life partner, you sit and wonder why it took so long to happen. Years after your first child is born; you hope every year would be as fantastic as that one.
Certain things in life are special that you hope will never fade from memory.
I didn't have a recent birthday party. It's been ages since I was out on holiday with my family. I'm yet to meet my life partner. And I have never experienced the boundless joy and excitement of being a father for the first time. Yet, I had all I could wish for in one day. A trip to the Peak District!
Now, put that down as hyperbole but only until you decide to find it out for yourself. The greenness of the grass spreads uniformly in the vastness of the land redefining beauty in its most intricate form.
The trees stand tall one after the other, like guarding angels of heaven, branching deep into the sky as if reminding us how small we are in their gigantic presence. The sight of a flock of sheep amused me, for rarely in life have I seen any breed of animals in such large numbers. Quite strangely, they were a friendly bunch, not just among themselves but with everyone who made a visit.
They even posed in a few different ways like fashion models posing on a catwalk in New York, loving every minute of publicity they were given as they posed to my camera.
The Dovedale ducks found in the small ponds were a feast to the eyes. Their graceful moments along the water reminded me of the great Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinsky in his prime; both made good use out of their small physique to produce moments of pure finesse.
What caught my attention the most was the flight of the birds having an unusual curve when gliding to the ground, as if being dazed in amazement by a scene of sheer beauty; they showed appreciation for the surroundings as much as I did. Everything about the place was magical.
As Claude Monet, famous painter of the 19th century once said ''The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my inspiration," his thoughts replicated my feelings as I drew inspiration in each passing step I made across the heavenly countryside.
Roger Federer's forehand, David Attenborough's voice-over, Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical quotations, Beethoven's fifth symphony, Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' and Ravi Zacharias' theological speeches, these naming just a few things that are as inspiring as Nature itself.
Tracing back to the first few lines, I dream of everyday being like this. I begin to think why I could not make these trips more often. I sit and wonder why it took so long to happen. And I hope every year would be as fantastic as this. I really do.
By Liam Bend After the harshest winter in recent times, the first signs of spring have finally started to show.
Snow drops bunches growing, flowers blossoming and the leaves foaming on trees, I must concur the thoughts of many in thinking what a nice change these conditions make to the previous weeks of hard frosts, heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.
As the last few months have seemed like an eternity to pass, a visit to Sheffield’s glamorous back garden was well overdue and what was needed to make the most out of the glorious weather, actions that I don’t regret one bit.
The Peak District was in full glory and even though it is only March the afternoon could have easily been confused for that of a July day but for a slightly cooler climate.
Heading out of Sheffield towards the Derbyshire Dales, the peak was bathed in sunshine that is all too familiar with the deserts of Africa not typical rainy England. The greenery below the clear blue sky was a landscape that would even tempt an artist to use the scene for an oil painting. Never before have I seen a place transformed by the rays so much that it changes from a very attractive destination to almost a heavenly place, if I knew what heaven even looked like, no words can describe. When parking the car at Chatsworth the location was just pure perfection; the stately home looked in fine condition amongst the hills guarding its territory.
The water fountain sparkling from a distance only added to the already tranquil settings as sheep chopped on grass, the ducks swam undercover to get out of the over powering brightness of the sun that no clouds could prevent, this was special.
Make no mistake this is one of the most scenic places on earth. There is not another place anyway that can be as diverse but as gorgeous as the Peak and from my experience this is as good a place as any to laze your time away at little costs but maximum guarantee.
Its days like these that you forget what is actually on the your door step, Sheffield and it’s surroundings can be as beautiful as any other place in the world if you get out and see what it has to offer.
The ones who love to listen to rock and folk and dance to its beats would perhaps go for U2 or Bob Dylan.
People who prefer Carnatic music or Indian classical would ideally stick with MS Subbulakshmi or TN Seshagopalan.
What if someone wants a mix of the two or if someone else feels too bored with either that he wants to hear something different. Something unique. You still have an answer – Susheela Raman.
Born in Hendon, London, the talented musician has her ancestral roots in India. Every since she was a child, she developed a passion for all kinds of music and started working on its possibilities.
She has released four albums so far, each revealing the craft in her trade – a brand of music that is so original, so refreshing, so captivating.
Raman’s band includes musicians from all over the world – Cameroonian bassist Hilaire Penda, Guinea-Bissau born percussionist Djanuno Dabo, American drummer Marque Gilmore, British-Asian tabla player Aref Durvesh and British guitarist and producer Sam Mills.
Most of her songs are in English and offers a variety that no other kind of music has had in recent years. Her music is a rare mix of Indian Ragas and Western harmonies.
Salt Rain (2001), Love Trap (2003), Music for Crocodiles (2005), 33 1/3 (2007) are the four albums released so far. Her first album, Salt Rain, won her the best newcomer award from BBC Radio 3. She was also short-listed for UK ’s Mercury Music Prize in the same year. The album is a wonderful blend of traditional Tamil music and contemporary jazz-folk and pop style.
After their dream gold rush in the Beijing Olympics, the British swimming team are competing at Sheffield's Ponds Forge for a place at the World Championships in Rome later this year.
Results indicate that the young talent are living up to their potential set in East Asia last year, highlighting noneother than the performance of Northallerton youngster Joanne Jackson.
Loughborough University product Jackson (22) picked up gold for the 400m freestyle at the packed out venue.
In a spectacular race that set a world record she made sure she defeated double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, the Mansfield born swimmer having to settling for silver.
After Jackson earned bronze in Beijing she's delighted to still be progressing for the event in the Italian capital;
“I was really happy with the bronze in Beijing but you still want to do better and to come away eight months after the Olympics and do that has totally shocked me,” said Jackson.
The showcase once again provided us with evidence of the nation's richness in young swimmers and their sporting brilliance, something British swimming has rarely seen before. Each stroke defined purpose, each breath grabbed courage and each victory echoed greatness.
As the two great swimmers settled for a photo-finish, many a supporter among the crowd shouted in celebration as they realised the intensity with which they competed against each other;
''I'm always happy whether I come second or not to Jo, she is such an incredible swimmer. I just have so much respect for her as a person and as a swimmer,'' said Adlington.
The event will be a perfect warm-up for the their trip to Italy and Team Britain will be hoping to win more gold medals there. If what we saw here is an indication, it could well be a reality.
After being hosts to the British Swimming Championships, Sheffield will host a major National Championship for swimmers with learning disabilities.
More than 180 pool lovers that have handicapped abilities are going to compete in the British Short Course Swimming Championships and Festival of Swimming for People with Learning Disabilities; these will take place at Ponds Forge Sports Centre on July 14 and 15.
The events sponsored by Westfield Health are a joint venture between Mencap Sport, Special Olympics GB and Down Syndrome International Swimming GB.
Nick Parr, National Sports Manager for Mencap said;
“We’re looking forward to another successful championships packed with talented swimmers. We’re delighted that Westfield Health has offered to sponsor the event and welcome their involvement.”
Westfield Health Chairman Graham Moore said: “We feel privileged to be associated with this fantastic event. We’re thrilled to be sponsoring it and look forward to a competitive weekend of swimming.”
What makes the occasion unique is that it is going to be split into two competitions with elite and festival swimmers competing for medals in their categories.
The elite swimmers have the added incentive of the forthcoming World Championships to be held in Belgium in August, while some of the festival swimmers will be challenging for a place in the squad to travel to Geneva for an international Mencap event in October.
For more information contact Nick Parr at Mencap on 01924 234912 or nick.parr@mencap.org.uk.
