Brief
Study links daily pint of beer to higher osteoarthritis risk
Researchers tracked 1.2 million adults over ten years and found a dose‑response relationship between alcohol intake and joint disease.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Researchers in South Korea followed more than 1.2 million adults aged 40 and over for an average of 9.9 years and found that drinking alcohol raises the risk of osteoarthritis, the study reported by the Daily Mail.
Participants answered questionnaires about typical alcohol consumption, allowing researchers to estimate daily intake. Light drinkers (under half a pint of average‑strength beer) had a 3.7 % higher risk than non‑drinkers, moderate drinkers (0.6‑1.7 pints for men, up to one pint for women) faced an 8.1 % increase, and heavy drinkers (1.7 pints or more for men, one pint or more for women) showed an 18.6 % higher risk.
The study adjusted for body weight and liver function, and authors concluded that alcohol should be considered a factor in osteoarthritis risk, warranting further investigation.
Key facts
- The study followed over 1.2 million adults aged 40+ for an average of 9.9 years. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Light drinkers had a 3.7 % higher osteoarthritis risk than non‑drinkers. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Heavy drinkers faced an 18.6 % higher risk compared with non‑drinkers. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Risk increased with each additional drink, even after accounting for weight and liver function. (dailymail.co.uk)
- The NHS recommends no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, about six pints. (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “Drinking heavily increases threat of arthritis, study suggests”
