Excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones weak and brittle. Osteoporosis makes bones more prone to fractures. Research suggests that alcohol negatively impacts bone health, increasing the risk or severity of osteoporosis. Bone strength is measured in terms of bone mineral density. As you age, your bones naturally lose density. If your body breaks down bone cells too quickly or replaces them too slowly, you’ll develop weaker bones—this is osteoporosis. To create healthy bone cells, your body needs certain nutrients from your diet. Excessive alcohol consumption can affect your body’s ability to absorb these nutrients, which may be one reason why heavy drinking is associated with osteoporosis. Heavy drinking is typically defined as 14 or more drinks per week. While some studies have found that moderate drinking may help increase bone density, excessive drinking is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. Generally, guidelines suggest a limit of one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males to avoid increasing the risk of cancer and heart disease. To manage osteoporosis, you can reduce alcohol consumption, maintain a nutrient-rich diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking.