Archaeologists discovered that smoking leaves lasting marks on human bones. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Leicester has found that tobacco use leaves visible marks on smokers’ bones not only during their lifetime, but also for centuries after their death.

The research was conducted on human remains buried in England between the 12th and 19th centuries The effects of tobacco on bone structure were investigated.

Research shows that tobacco has post-mortem effects

One of the most striking aspects of the study was that it found that tobacco has caused significant changes in the human skeleton since its introduction to Western Europe 500 years ago. Under normal circumstances, tobacco wear and tooth stains were used to identify smokers, but this method was inadequate in cases where teeth were missing.

To solve this problem, the team from the University of Leicester analyzed 323 different bone samples and found differences between smokers and non-smokers. 45 different properties at molecular level detected.

Leaves a metabolic imprint on the bones

The new analyzes were carried out using mass spectroscopy and the results are as well smokers leave a metabolic scar on their bones showed. The study published in the journal Science Advances emphasized that the said data was sufficient to detect tobacco use. One of the study’s authors, Dr. Sarah Inskip stated that the study showed significant differences between the bone structures of smokers and non-smokers.

The harmful effects of smoking on organs and soft tissues have long been linked to health problems such as cancer and heart disease. Now this research has shown that the effects of smoking, which cause serious problems in everyday life and for the rest of our lives, do not lose their effects even when we die.

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