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Drinking alcohol in moderation (one drink a day for the ladies, two for the gents) has a lot of heart health benefits. But we can’t say the same for osteoarthritis. There’s no evidence that alcohol helps prevent or even reduce your risk of osteoarthritis since it doesn’t do anything to stop or slow damage to the cartilage in your joints.
Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol on a regular basis may reduce your risk of osteoarthritis (OA). A study, conducted in the Netherlands on thousands of people, found that alcohol consumption was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of OA.
In the study, people who regularly drank alcohol reduced their risk of getting OA by about 30% compared to people who didn't drink. It's possible that the alcohol helps reduce inflammation and keeps OA from getting started. If you don't drink or drink only now and then, is this a reason to drink more? Not yet. Alcohol has a many possible side effects and may interact badly with drugs you already take.
In the study, people who regularly drank alcohol reduced their risk of getting OA by about 30% compared to people who didn't drink. It's possible that the alcohol helps reduce inflammation and keeps OA from getting started. If you don't drink or drink only now and then, is this a reason to drink more? Not yet. Alcohol has a many possible side effects and may interact badly with drugs you already take.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.