BMD and Fruit

[Guest guest]

Osteo and BMD always seems a topic of concern here so thought some might

find this interesting. Don't have full study yet.

Jeff

Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Oct;80(4):1019-23

Fruit and vegetable consumption and bone mineral density: the Northern

Ireland Young Hearts Project.

McGartland CP, Robson PJ, Murray LJ, Cran GW, Savage MJ, Watkins DC,

Rooney MM, Boreham CA.

Northern Ireland Center for Food and Health, University of Ulster,

Coleraine, United Kingdom. c.mcgartland@...

BACKGROUND: Studies examining the relation between bone mineral density

(BMD) and fruit and vegetable consumption during adolescence are rare.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether usual fruit and

vegetable intakes reported by adolescents have any influence on BMD.

DESIGN: BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the

nondominant forearm and dominant heel in a random sample of 12-y-old

boys (n = 324), 12-y-old girls (n = 378), 15-y-old boys (n = 274), and

15-y-old girls (n = 369). Usual fruit and vegetable consumption was

assessed by an interviewer-administered diet history method. Relations

between BMD and fruit and vegetable intake were assessed by using

regression modeling. RESULTS: Using multiple linear regression to adjust

for the potential confounding influence of physical and lifestyle

factors, we observed that 12-y-old girls consuming high amounts of fruit

had significantly higher heel BMD (beta = 0.037; 95% CI: 0.017, 0.056)

than did the moderate fruit consumers. No other associations were

observed.

CONCLUSION: High intakes of fruit may be important for bone health in

girls.

It is possible that fruit's alkaline-forming properties mediate the

body's acid-base balance. However, intervention studies are required to

confirm the findings of this observational study.