Malt

Studies in people

• Concern

  Tooth enamel erosion³

  In people, malt drinks wore away tooth enamel, though how much varied a lot between volunteers.

• Benefit

  Cells in the mouth⁴

  In people, malt drinks with buckwheat, pea, corn and barley extracts were linked to fewer mouth cells with DNA damage.

Found in some samples or products

These come from where it was grown, how it was processed or cooked, or what it was made into. They are not about the ingredient itself, so the signal does not count them.

• Mould toxins in beer⁶

  Mould toxins like DON turned up in most malt and beer samples, though usually at low levels.

Single cases of misuse or overdose

One person or one incident, such as an accidental overdose or a mistake in a kitchen or factory. They are real, but a single case does not show what happens at normal amounts, so the signal does not count them.

• Allergic reactions to food⁵

  A teen's swelling and allergy symptoms came after malt in chocolate drinks and snacks, and tests showed his body reacted to malt.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.