Alcohol is one of the most popular beverages among the various age groups. We have always heard that it is better to replace soda with water and other natural beverages; Usually if we ask the reason, we will not hear an answer that is more harmful to the body; But have you ever thought that you know what the reason would be unhealthy for the body to be known soda as a drink?

Several factors such as health and prevention of a disease, a cause of concern and our sensitivity about the choice of drinking regime can be.

 Osteoporosis is  one of these diseases that affects many people around the world. 

Nearly 15 percent of the world’s population and 30 percent of postmenopausal women from this disease suffer off brand. There are several factors involved in the development of this disease; But in this article, we want to take a closer look at the relationship between alcohol consumption and osteoporosis.

In the following, we will introduce the effective factors in the formation and prevention of osteoporosis and the relationship between alcohol consumption and osteoporosis.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone strength and density causes its fragility of is. Osteoporosis is a silent, asymptomatic disease until it leads to a fracture. Older people and postmenopausal women are more at risk.

Bone fractures due to decreased bone density are one of the leading causes of death in the elderly. 

The direct cause of fractures is accidental fall or impact; But the root cause is low bone density and excessive loss of bone tissue.

Recent scientific findings show that one of the reasons for the rapid decline in bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, with the exception of decreased estrogen, is an unhealthy lifestyle and poor eating habits. 

In the absence of minerals in the diet, the body compensates for this deficiency of bone tissue ; This causes a lack of minerals in the bone over time, resulting in reduced bone density and osteoporosis. 

Also, with age, the destruction of bone tissue becomes more than its construction. After age 30, bone loss is an inevitable process that leads to brittle bone remodeling cycle by changing them to be.

Alcohol consumption and osteoporosis 

 

So far, various side effects of alcohol consumption have been mentioned; However, many people around the world are passionate about this drink. 

One of the side effects mentioned for soda is its destructive effect on bones; But what does the research say, and to what extent is this claim true? 

In a study of the effects of alcohol consumption on bone fractures, 17,383 Chinese citizens aged 20 to 75 were studied. Participants who drank more daily experienced more bone fractures than those who did not.

 According to statistics, during a 5-year follow-up, fractures were reported in 569 areas of the bones of these participants. 

As a result of this research, it has been stated that excessive consumption of soda increases the risk of bone fractures. Daily consumption of soda, regardless of overall diet and lifestyle pattern, doubles this possibility.

one mineral density and concentration were lower in mice that consumed soft drinks than in other mice. This 20% reduction was the same in male and female mice. 

According to the study, cola soda caused damage to all mice; But it cannot be said that the secondary changes in the mineral balance caused by kidney damage are due to a decrease in bone density. 

Finally, more studies are needed to prove this point.

Another study from Tufts University found that cola drinks reduced the mineral density in a woman’s pelvis; Therefore, it can be concluded that increased cola consumption in women leads to decreased bone density and calcium deficiency.

 The results of various studies have suggested different reasons for the effect of alcohol on osteoporosis. 

Experts believe that replacing soft drinks with calcium-rich beverages can be a major factor in reducing bone density. According to Harvard , the theory that phosphoric acid, which leads to calcium malabsorption and bone deficiency, is a major cause for concern about soft drinks.

 There is still insufficient evidence based on the effect of high phosphate intake on bone metabolism and density. 

It is assumed that one of the factors associated with bone fractures with soft drinks is the high content of phosphoric acid in soft drinks. Excessive consumption of phosphoric acid changes the ratio of calcium to phosphorus, as well as the ratio of acid and base of the body, resulting in reduced bone density and osteoporosis.

Low calcium and phosphorus diets may stimulate parathyroid hormone and cause bone loss. High intake of phosphoric acid can also reduce kidney function and affect calcium homeostasis. Sugar and sodium in soft drinks can also cause calcium loss.

If consumption of caffeinated  beverages (such as soft drinks and energy drinks) exceeds the maximum limit of daily caffeine consumption, it may increase the risk of fracture and recurrence in the future.

Drinking more than 3 cups of coffee a day can have a negative effect on bone health.

 In addition to reducing calcium absorption, caffeine also causes a slight increase in calcium in the urine.

 To prevent this, the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that you make sure you get enough calcium in your daily diet. Adults under the age of 50 should receive 1,000 mg daily, and people over the age of 50 should receive 1,200 mg daily. 

According to the foundation, cola drinks contain other chemicals in addition to phosphoric acid and caffeine that may be harmful to bones; Therefore, people with osteoporosis should monitor their weekly soda intake.

Consumption of large amounts of soft drinks during adolescence can increase the risk of bone fractures in the future by reducing bone mineral accumulation. 

Fat affects the regulation of bones and is involved in the metabolism of active bone hormones; But increasing muscle fat leads to more people falling, which can increase the risk of fractures in certain areas of the body.

 People with obesity lose their normal defense mechanisms and fall more to the side or back when falling.

 Another cause of the indirect effect of soda on bone fractures is the mediating effect of obesity. Studies have shown that excessive consumption of soft drinks increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and other chronic non-communicable diseases.

According to research in South Korea, phthalates used in beverage cans are directly linked to bone mass and osteoporosis in women, regardless of calcium intake or physical activity. 

Prevent osteoporosis

Osteoporosis depends on both genetic and environmental factors. Apart from genetic factors play a role in determining they do not, environmental factors play an important role in the quality of our lives will be. 

By correcting bad habits and unhealthy diets , we can improve our lifestyle and prevent many diseases or minimize the complications of diseases.

To keep bones healthy it is necessary to regularly exercise  , we have physical activity as much as possible to avoid inactivity. If the bones are not physically active, the mechanical receptors (bone cells) will not receive signals to repair, repair, and synthesize new bones; As a result, the mineral density of the bones will gradually decrease.

 According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, walking is one of the most effective exercises for maintaining and improving bone density in postmenopausal women. 

Weight training and resistance training are important for increasing bone density. Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of falls and injuries to the bones by increasing muscle balance and functional activity.

Statistically, smoking is significantly associated with osteoporosis. While physical activity maintains muscle mass, smoking is an undeniable factor in osteoporosis. Smoking increases the risk of bone fractures in both men and women. 

Smokers (especially women) are up to twice as likely to have a broken bone as non-smokers and even people who have quit.

Diet is an important indicator of bone health. Dietary correction by eliminating non-nutrients and replacing nutrients is an effective way to prevent many diseases. Lack of minerals such as calcium, protein and vitamin D can lead to muscle density.

 Try your diet to set the required daily amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients are included in it is good. Calcium, dairy and vitamin D play a significant role in bone health. 

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of fractures by increasing bone density due to their high levels of vitamins and trace elements (a mineral nutrient that is needed in very small amounts to grow and improve organs).

Conclusion

In order to promote bone health, reducing alcohol consumption should be considered as an important strategy for individuals. In the next 40 years, the number of people at risk of osteoporosis due to osteoporosis will place a significant burden on societies, especially Asian societies.

However, the issue of osteoporosis is more common in the elderly and in postmenopausal women; But it is a problem that should be prevented from childhood and adolescence. 

However, people with a genetic background should take this more seriously; But other people should not underestimate the role of environmental factors in osteoporosis.

Correcting lifestyle and putting aside unhealthy habits is one of the most important strategies mentioned in the prevention of various diseases.

 As mentioned, more evidence is still needed on the effects of alcohol on osteoporosis; But nutritionists and researchers recommend that we reduce our alcohol intake as much as possible and always keep a balanced diet.

 It is true that soda is not yet fully recognized as an active ingredient in osteoporosis; However, smoking, vitamin D deficiency and inactivity are among the proven environmental factors in this disease.

 The first step in preventing osteoporosis is to eliminate the environmental factors that affect it in your lifestyle.