Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is associated with slightly higher bone mineral density (BMD) in women, according to researchers at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, UK.

Dr. Frances M. K. Williams and colleagues conducted a twin study to examine the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on BMD and fracture risk after controlling for genetic effects and other potential risk factors.

As reported in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, the team assessed BMD at the hip and lower spine in 46 pairs of identical twins who consumed different amounts of alcohol.

Blood and urine tests were used to look for evidence of altered bone metabolism.

The twins identified as “minimal drinkers” consumed a mean of 0.2 units of alcohol per week, while those identified as “drinkers” consumed a mean of 8.0 units per week. One unit of alcohol equals about one small glass of wine or one half pint of beer.

The drinkers and minimal drinkers had mean BMD values of 0.982 and 0.964 grams per square centimeter, respectively, at the hip, and 1.020 and 1.011 grams per square centimeter at the spine.

“Alcohol consumption was found to be positively associated with BMD at the lumbar spine and sites at the hip reflecting both cortical and trabecular bone,” Dr. Williams’ team reports.

They add, “We think it unlikely that the benefits to BMD would be offset by an increased risk of falls at this moderate level of alcohol consumption.”

SOURCE: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, February 2005.