India launches 'healthy beer'From correspondents in New Delhi
August 18, 2005
AN Indian firm has launched a vitamin-rich beer which it says protects the body from the harmful effects of alcohol, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
Ladybird Bio Beer contains aloe-vera extracts as well as the normal ingredients of barley malt and hops, said its inventor B. Srinivas Amarnath.
He said research showed that it did not harm the liver or cause ulcers and gastric illness.
"The results of human clinical trials have shown aloe vera increases the bioavailability of vitamins like B1, B6, B12, C and E," said C.B. Jagannatha Rao, senior vice president of Khoday group of industries.
The beer was launched in the southern Indian state of Kerala today by Khoday in partnership with Amarnath's firm, Advaith Biotech.
Mr Amarnath said consignments of the beer had been exported to Canada and customers from Malaysia and the United States had also expressed interest.
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