Men over 65 years of age having consumed alcohol during the year before the research display higher bone density compared with total abstainers. Such is the conclusion of an American study involving 6 000 senior male subjects.

The study was conducted in six different centres in the U.S. The average mineral bone density, a measure of bone strength, was measured at three sites: the hip, the epiphysis (head) of the femur and the lumbar vertebrae using X-ray equipment. Last year’s alcohol consumption was gauged by interview. After the preliminary research information was requested every three months about falls and broken bones. The duration for falls was one year, the average for broken bones was 3.65 years.

The results showed a link between higher alcohol consumption the year before and bone density. There was even a “suspicion of a moderate protective association” between recent social drinking and the risk of a hip fracture. Men who had drunk not more than thirteen units a week seemed to be 20% less likely to fall than the total abstainers. Finally, a clear connection was detected between a history of heavy drinking and a higher risk of falling, even where the person concerned now drinks little or no alcohol.

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