A recent study has identified an association between consuming two soft drinks per day and an increased risk of hip fracture in postmenopausal women. Because the study authors cannot prove causation, however, they call for more research.
Osteoarthritis, which is characterized by progressively weak and brittle bones, predominantly affects older adults.
As Western populations age, therefore, the incidence of osteoporosis rises in step.
The condition affects around
In fact, according to the authors of the most recent study paper, globally, an osteoporotic fracture occurs every 3 seconds.
Although some of the primary risk factors for osteoporosis are unalterable, such as age and sex, some lifestyle habits also play a part.
For instance, alcohol consumption and tobacco use both increase the risk. Nutrition may also play a role, with researchers particularly interested in calcium intake.
One recent study in the journal Menopause focused on the impact of consuming soft drinks.
A number of older studies have observed a link between consuming soft drinks and reduced bone mineral density in
However, other studies that specifically looked for an association between soda and osteoporosis have
Because of these discrepancies, the authors of the latest paper set out to study the links between soft drinks and bone mineral density in the spine and hip. They also looked for a relationship between soda intake and the risk of hip fracture over a 16 year follow-up period.
To investigate, the scientists took data from the Women’s Health Initiative. This is an ongoing national study that involves 161,808 postmenopausal women. For the new analysis, the researchers used data from 72,342 of these participants.
As part of the study, the participants provided detailed health information and questionnaire data outlining lifestyle factors, including diet. Importantly, the diet questionnaire included questions about their intakes of caffeinated and caffeine-free soft drinks.
During their analysis, the scientists accounted for a range of variables with the potential to impact the results, including age, ethnicity, education level, family income, body mass index (BMI), use of hormonal therapy and oral contraceptives, coffee intake, and history of falls.
As expected, they did observe a relationship between soda consumption and osteoporosis-related injury. The authors write:
“For total soda consumption, both minimally and fully adjusted survival models showed a 26% increased risk of hip fracture among women who drank on average 14 servings per week or more compared with no servings.”
The researchers explain that the association was only statistically significant for caffeine-free sodas, which produced a 32% increase in risk. Although the pattern was similar for caffeinated sodas, it did not reach statistical significance.
For clarity, the percentages above display relative risk, not absolute risk.
The study authors reiterate that the significant link was only present when comparing the women who drank the most soda — at least two drinks per day — with those who drank none. This, they explain, suggests “a threshold effect rather than a dose-response relationship.”
It is also worth noting that the scientists found no links between soda consumption and bone mineral density.
As mentioned above, earlier research looking for connections between soda and osteoporosis produced conflicting results. Although this study benefits from a large sample size, detailed information, and a long follow-up period, we cannot consider its results definitive; there is too much conflicting information.
There are also certain limitations to the study. For instance, as the researchers note, the participants only reported soda consumption early in the study. People’s dietary habits can change significantly over time, and the team could not account for this.
Also, although the researchers controlled for a wide range of factors, there is always the chance that an unmeasured factor played a part in this association.
That said, when we look at studies involving other age groups, as well as studies using both men and women, it does seem that soda consumption overall might influence bone health in some way.
The study authors believe that this might be because added sugars have a “negative impact on mineral homeostasis and calcium balance.”
Another theory the authors outline concerns carbonation, which is the process of dissolving carbon dioxide in water. “It results in the formation of carbonic acid that might alter gastric acidity and, consequently, nutrient absorption.”
However, they are quick to explain that “[w]hether this factor plays a role in these findings is yet to be explored.”
Because osteoporosis is becoming more prevalent, research into nutritional risk factors is more critical than ever. The authors call for more work.
Does caffeine contribute to osteoporosis?
According to researchers, caffeine interferes with the body’s absorption of calcium. Some experts suggest that excess caffeine might affect bone health. However, it remains unclear whether caffeine contributes to osteoporosis.
People with osteoporosis have low bone mineral density and bone mass, placing them at increased risk of bone fractures.
Some studies have explored the effects of caffeine on osteoporosis, but they have produced conflicting conclusions. Although some research suggests that caffeine interferes with calcium absorption, it is unclear whether and how it affects bone health.
At present, there is not enough evidence to conclude that consuming caffeine — in any quantity — contributes to osteoporosis.
Read more to learn about how caffeine affects bone health, what the research says, and how to promote strong bones.
The amount of caffeine that is excessive depends on several factors, with recommendations varying for different people.
For example, the
The
However, its stance on caffeine is due to the substance’s negative effects on young people, which may include difficulty sleeping, increased blood pressure, and emotional problems. The organization does not mention any effects that caffeine may have on bone growth or bone health during puberty.
Researchers are unsure how much caffeine is necessary to lead to negative effects on calcium and osteoporosis.
Although studies have explored how caffeine affects calcium metabolism, researchers are unsure whether these effects contribute to osteoporosis.
A
An
However, the findings suggest that high caffeine consumption may be associated with increased calcium loss. Due to the link between low calcium and vitamin D intake, this may mean that caffeine is indirectly associated with osteoporosis.
To prevent osteoporosis, doctors suggest getting the recommended daily amount of calcium and vitamin D in the diet. A low calcium diet is a key risk factor for osteoporosis, and substances such as caffeine can mask it. Vitamin D is also important because the body cannot absorb calcium from the intestines without it.
Additional studies using a broad population may help determine the effects of caffeine on osteoporosis.
People who get the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium and vitamin D
The RDAs of calcium and vitamin D depend on a person’s age and sex. This table lists the RDA of calcium in milligrams per day (mg/day) and that of vitamin D in international units per day (IU/day) for various age groups:
| Age (years) and gender | Calcium (mg/day) | Vitamin D (IU/day) |
| 9–18 | 1,300 | 600 |
| 19–50 | 1,000 | 600 |
| 51–70 and male | 1,000 | 600 |
| 51–70 and female | 1,200 | 600 |
| more than 70 | 1,200 | 800 |
| 14–18 and pregnant or lactating | 1,300 | 600 |
| 19–50 and pregnant or lactating | 1,000 | 600 |
However,
Some people have an increased risk of osteoporosis regardless of caffeine consumption. As a result, the potential negative effects of caffeine may further increase their risk of bone health issues. For example, children and older adults can experience higher rates of bone diseases and may need to limit their caffeine intake.
During puberty, adolescents experience quick growth because of maximal calcium deposition in the bone. If caffeine influences endochondral ossification and calcium buildup in bone, it may affect a child’s growth.
However, researchers are still unsure whether caffeine affects bone growth and strength in children and adolescents. It is unclear whether it causes osteoporosis in children because the rates of the condition are very low.
In older adults, both males and females are at risk of osteoporosis. Some risk factors include:
- taking certain medications, such as cancer drugs or steroids
- having a family history of osteoporosis
- having low levels of certain hormones
- experiencing low calcium and vitamin D diet throughout life
- having certain medical conditions, such as arthritis, anorexia nervosa, or intestinal diseases
Although many types of tea contain caffeine, some research indicates that tea may actually be good for bone health.
According to a
Certain age groups may experience even greater benefits from tea.
The same 2017 study showed increased bone mineral density in older women who drank tea compared with those who did not. However, other research contradicts these findings, reporting that tea had no effect on bone health.
The evidence supporting the effects of drinking tea for preventing osteoporosis is inadequate to confirm its benefits.
Caffeine may interfere with how the body absorbs, metabolizes, and eliminates calcium. Disruption of calcium in the body can contribute to certain bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, but it is unclear whether the effects of caffeine on calcium are significant enough to cause osteoporosis.
Experts suggest limiting caffeine to avoid side effects such as trouble sleeping, increased blood pressure, and emotional issues. Researchers are still working to understand the effects of caffeine on osteoporosis and bone health in different age groups.
Source - Medical News Today
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