There has been a great deal of controversy over whether drinking alcohol negatively affects bone health in women. A new study reports that moderate drinking does not increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Researchers in London conducted a study looking at identical twins, alcohol consumption, and bone health. For the study 46 pairs of identical twins were surveyed. In each set of twins, one drank very little while the other drank moderately. Moderate drinking was defined as eight drinks a week. The twins had their bone mineral density measured as well as chemical markers.While moderate drinking was associated with thinner bones, researchers say there was no clear link between chemical markers in bone turnover and alcohol intake. Therefore, they say alcohol may actually be beneficial to bone health. Researchers also point out that drinking this amount would not likely increase the risk of falls contributing to the fracture rate.
Although the controversy remains about the risk of osteoporosis and alcohol consumption researchers say that their study lends weight to the growing evidence that moderate alcohol consumption is not detrimental to bone health in women.
