*Silica is important for the health of hair, skin and nails
*Silica is needed by the body to make the connective tissue collagen
*Water, as well as beer and coffee (both made with water) are the main ways most people get adequate intake of silica (over half of the daily intake).Beer can contain anywhere from 19-60mg silica per kg of beer (approximately 1 litre of beer), which provides adequate intake of silica, but it may not be a heart healthy decision to drink that much beer every day
*Some anti-caking and anti-foaming additives in foods are are made from silica
*Silica may help to counter the effects of too much aluminium in the body, which some studies suggest is implicated in Alzheimer's disease.