Health Concerns over ‘Moderate’ Alcohol Consumption

Even though the latest research is likely to buy several rounds of beer to celebrate, women should take caution when drinking beer. Speaking to BBC News, Dr Claire Bowring, an expert at the National Osteoporosis Society in the UK said, ‘’while low quantities of alcohol may appear to have bone density benefits, higher intakes have been shown to decrease bone strength, with an alcohol intake of more than two units per day actually increasing the risk of breaking a bone. There are also many other health concerns linked with alcohol which cannot be ignored.’’

Elderly women who consume a daily intake of alcohol are at risk of bone damage, while the risk of post-menopausal osteoporosis is added to the loss in bone mass due to alcohol. Consequently women who consume more than the recommended amount of alcohol are at a two-time greater risk of suffering severe bone fractures later on in life than those who neither drink, nor have the bone disease.

The researchers from the University of Extremadura do not recommend anyone to start drinking beer in a bid to boost bone health. Drink one beer a day and no more as drinking more than the two units of alcohol a day is associated with harming bone health. However the researchers did say that the ingredients of beer, phytoestrogens, plant versions of oestrogen which keep bones healthy, do require further research.