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Fluoride content of alcoholic beverages
Saman Warnakulasuriya1, Colin Harris, Stanley Gelbier
1Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Denmark Hill Campus, King's College London, Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW, UK. s.warne@kcl.ac.uk
Summary
Alcoholic beverages, especially beers from high-fluoride regions, can significantly increase fluoride intake. This may be a factor in dental caries and alcohol-associated bone disease in alcohol misusing individuals.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Conflicting reports exist regarding dental caries severity in alcohol misusing individuals.
- A systematic survey was conducted to investigate fluoride levels in alcoholic beverages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the fluoride content of various alcoholic beverages.
- To determine potential links between beverage fluoride and health outcomes in alcohol misusing subjects.
Main Methods:
- Systematic survey of fluoride content in alcoholic beverages.
- Analysis of beverage origin, particularly European products.
- Correlation with geographical water fluoride levels.
Main Results:
- Fluoride content in alcoholic beverages showed wide variation.
- Non-UK European products exhibited particularly diverse fluoride levels.
- Beers brewed in high-fluoride water areas contained significant fluoride.
Conclusions:
- High-fluoride beers may substantially contribute to daily fluoride intake.
- This elevated intake is particularly relevant for alcohol misusing individuals.
- Potential contribution to alcohol-associated bone disease warrants further investigation.