Cola Causes Bone LossStudy: Scientists Link Cola Consumption to

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Cola Causes Bone Loss Study: Scientists Link Cola Consumption to

Osteoporosis Risk in Women

 

A new study finds a connection between cola consumption and

osteoporosis. (ABCNEWS.com)

 

By SIRI NILSSON

ABC NEWS Medical Unit

 

 

Oct. 6, 2006— Too many cans of cola might mean bad news for your

bones.

 

Some women drink diet cola to help keep the weight off, but a new

study

suggests that drinking diet, regular and decaffeinated cola can

actually

lower bone density and put women at increased risk for osteoporosis.

 

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, roughly 55

percent of

Americans, mostly women, are at risk of developing the brittle-bone

disease, which leaves bones dry, weak, and more likely to fracture.

 

Cola drinks — such as Pepsi-Cola or Coca-Cola — seem to increase

that

risk, according to research published in today's American Journal of

Clinical Nutrition.

 

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition

Research Center on Aging at Tufts University looked at data from

2,500

men and women who were part of the Framingham Osteoporosis Study.

The

average age of those studied was just under 60.

 

The scientists compared how much cola and other sodas people drank

to

bone mineral density measurements taken from the spine and from

three

different spots on the hips.

 

" The more cola that women drank, the lower their bone mineral

density

was, " said Katherine Tucker, study author and director of the

Epidemiology and Dietary Assessment Program at Tufts University, in

a

press release.

 

Women who drank more cola had reduced bone mineral density at all

three

hip sites but not at the spine. The link between cola consumption

and

women's bone loss was unaffected by age, menopausal status,

cigarettes,

alcohol, or total calcium and vitamin D intake.

 

Cola consumption did not affect men in the same way. Also, other

carbonated drinks were not associated with bone loss.

 

Previous studies suggested that women who drank more cola had

reduced

bone density because the cola replaced milk in their diets, meaning

the

women got less calcium. But in this study, the women who drank the

most

cola still drank enough milk. However, women who drank cola had less

calcium in their diet overall, so that lack of calcium could explain

the

finding here. Researchers said they'll continue to study the link

between cola consumption and bone loss.

 

In the meantime, women concerned about osteoporosis might want to

put down that can of cola.

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets