Washington, Mar 14: While alcohol consumption has always been attributed to devastating effects on health, a new study has revealed that moderate consumption might make bones stronger in older adults.

An international team of experts headed by Katherine Tucker studied a cohort of older adults in the Framingham Offspring Study to determine an association between alcohol consumption and bone mineral density.

“Moderate alcohol consumption was shown to contribute to stronger bones (measured as hip and spine bone mineral density),” said ASN Spokesperson Stephanie Atkinson, PhD.

The study showed that 1-3 glasses of beer in men and more than 2 glasses of wine or liquor (but not beer) for women is likely to have a positive effect on bone.

The positive effect might be attributed to bone preserving ingredients like silicon in beer and resveratrol in wine in addition to the alcohol.

“Such positive effects on bone must be balanced against the risk of falls and bone fractures caused by consuming excessive alcohol," Atkinson added.

The study is published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (ANI)