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Tobacco changed human skeletons, researchers say

 
 Changing human skeletons. Tobacco. (photo credit: hawarie arada. Via Shutterstock)
Changing human skeletons. Tobacco.
(photo credit: hawarie arada. Via Shutterstock)

The research team analyzed human skeletal remains dating from the 12th to the 19th centuries to investigate the impact of tobacco use on bone health.

A new study led by Dr. Sarah Inskip from the University of Leicester revealed that tobacco consumption left lasting molecular traces in human bones, altering skeletal structures since its introduction to Western Europe over 500 years ago, according to The Independent.

The research team analyzed human skeletal remains dating from the 12th to the 19th centuries to investigate the impact of tobacco use on bone health. They discovered significant differences between the bones of tobacco consumers and non-consumers, emphasizing notable changes in human skeletal structure and health.

Using mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography, the researchers examined the molecular composition of bones from 323 individuals. They identified 45 distinct molecular features that differentiated smokers from non-smokers.

"Our ongoing research aims to determine how these differences arise, as this may be important for understanding why tobacco consumption is a risk factor for some musculoskeletal and dental disorders," Inskip said.

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The study included individuals from two British locations: St. James's Garden cemetery in London and a rural church cemetery in Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire. Within the Barton-upon-Humber group, 45 individuals were selected as a control for the study because they had lived and died before 1500, prior to tobacco being introduced to Europe, while the remaining individuals lived after its introduction.

Previously, the easiest way to identify tobacco use in excavated individuals was by examining their teeth, looking for stains or wear caused by pipe use. However, this method often proved ineffective when teeth were missing or did not survive. Furthermore, not all smokers exhibited these dental signs because tobacco was also sniffed as snuff or chewed as leaves.

They researchers discovered that bones belonging to smokers exhibited 45 unique molecular characteristics compared to those of non-smokers. These findings indicate that tobacco use impacts the structure of our skeletons.

Smoking has been linked to bone-related issues, including low bone density, a higher risk of fractures, and periodontitis.


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Inskip's team is now working to better understand how these bone differences arise and why tobacco consumption becomes a risk factor for certain musculoskeletal and dental disorders.

According to Science Focus, the new research method could be used to help solve modern crime investigations and has many potential applications. "This can be useful for individual cases, or in the event of mass fatalities. We need to do a lot more work […] but in the future, the possibilities look very exciting," Inskip said.

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The research was published in the journal Science Advances.

The Independent, Express, and Science Focus reported on the research, among other websites.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq

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