Heavy drinking can negatively impact bone health and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Research indicates that chronic heavy alcohol use, especially during adolescence and young adulthood, can significantly harm bone health. Alcohol interferes with calcium absorption in the stomach and affects the liver and pancreas, which play crucial roles in calcium and vitamin D absorption. The disruption of these processes leads to weaker bones. Additionally, alcohol can decrease estrogen levels, slow bone remodeling, and increase levels of cortisol and parathyroid hormone, which further damage bones. Heavy drinkers are more prone to fractures, particularly in the hip and spine, and these fractures tend to heal slowly due to malnutrition. Quitting alcohol can help bones recover, and it's also important for smokers to quit to improve bone health.