Vita-Beer

New Zealand Listener, Volume 10, Issue 242, 11 February 1944, Page 2

Vita-Beer

By

WHIM-WHAM

[Riboflavin, one of the most important vitamins, has recently been discovered to be present in appreciable quantities in beer. This is reported by Sir J. Drummond, scientific adviser to the Ministry of Food, and Dr. T. Moran... They describe this discovery as among the "unconsidered trifles" in the British wartime diet. . . A deficiency of riboflavin lays the victim open to infectious diseases, nervous depression, digestive disturbances, and general deterioration. An adequate supply of the vitamin wards off senility and keeps a person in the prime of life for years longer. Riboflavin is also present in smaller quantities in kidney, liver, lean meat, carrots, spinach and tea.-Cable news item]. GOMs People may rejoice to hear That there are Vitamins in Beer, While Others, who condemn the Drink May well be horrified to think Of the Effect such stirring News Must have upon the Sale of Booze. Myself, I’m rather more inclined To take no More, as Who should find A Blowfly swimming in his TeaLife larger than One likes to see. Or, if the Drinker stuffs his Skin With some convivial Vitamin, If Beer indeed prevents or eases . The Pangs of Half the known Diseases, What Millions more will swell the Ranks Of Diet Addicts, Faddists, Cranks! What Food Neurotics cram the Bars To take Food Value home in Jars, Or stretch, like famished Fowls, their Necks For Draughts of Vitamin Four-X! Thank Heaven this Thing the Brewers sell Is found in other Foods as well; Though glad that Vitamins occur In any Drink, I much prefer, If Beer must benefit my Health, That it should do me Good by Stealth!