Stronger bone health in older men

For a long time there has been an established association between the excessive consumption of alcohol and increased bone fractures, mainly due to osteoporosis and falls, but recent research on drinking in moderation is starting to reveal mixed results.

According to a recently released Australian study, which has been published by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, red wine contributes to stronger bone health in older men. The researchers found links between improved bone mineral density (BMD) and red wine consumption in men aged 50 to 80.

The new study, which followed nearly 900 men and women over a two-year period, considered the benefits and detriments of beer, red wine and spirits on men and women.

Bone mineral density refers to the concentration of minerals, like calcium, in bones and is a measure of bone strength. As BMD goes down, the risk for developing osteoporosis goes up. The researchers measured the bone mineral density of participants with an X-ray at the beginning of the project and then again two years later. Subjects completed questionnaires regarding drinking habits and types of alcoholic beverages consumed.

Although the team concluded that red wine may help prevent bone density loss in men, it found no such influence on women. Instead, the results suggest women may gain similar benefits from indulging in low-alcohol beer. Spirits and liquor decreased bone density in men but showed no noticeable effect on women.

The study’s senior author and department head of the Musculoskeletal Unit at the Menzies Research Institute in Australia noted the results were difficult to explain because there is little data that compares different types of alcoholic beverages. “These somewhat contrasting results suggest it is not the alcohol per se but other factors in the beverages,” he said.

Several studies focused on skeletal research in the last 10 years found evidence that phytochemicals, such as the polyphenols found in grape skins, contribute to healthy bones.

The Australian team also hypothesise that silicon in beer may promote healthy bone formation. More long-term research will be needed to solidify the links between bone health and certain types of alcoholic drinks, he concluded.