Osteoporosis, which is characterized by thin, brittle bones, affects about 10 million Americans. Another 34 million are at risk for developing the condition. Osteoporosis is more likely to strike women after age 50 and men after age 70. Several factors can increase your risk of osteoporosis, including your diet, such as regularly drinking cola soft drinks.
Definition
The literal definition of osteoporosis is "porous bone." The disease refers to the loss of bone mineral density, or bone mass, that makes your bones vulnerable to fractures and breaks. During your youth, your body uses calcium and phosphate to build healthy bones. But as you get older, calcium and phosphate may leech out of your bones back into your body, leading to osteoporosis. This progressive disease occurs over a number of years, largely undetected until a fracture occurs.
Research
In a study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," researchers at Tufts University found that drinking cola can contribute to osteoporosis in older women in the hip area. Using data from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study, the researchers noted that women drank on average five carbonated drinks a week, with four of them being cola. Women who drank more cola had lower bone mineral density, but there was no association between bone mineral density loss for women who drank noncola carbonated beverages.
Effect
Cola beverages contain phosphoric acid, which might interfere with your body's ability to use calcium and speed up bone loss. One theory suggests that cola drinkers' risk of osteoporosis occurs because they tend to replace bone-building calcium with colas. However, Katherine Tucker, lead author of the study from Tufts University, points out that women who drank a lot of cola did not consume less milk than women who drank less cola. But, women who drank the most cola did consume lower levels of calcium from all sources, including dark, green leafy vegetables and beans.
Takeaway
Although the researchers stress that they are still not sure why cola consumption increases loss of bone mineral density, and the occasional cola won't increase your risk of osteoporosis, limit these drinks in your diet. Besides the potential risks to bone health, they are also high in sugar calories --- not counting the diet variety --- and low in nutrients. Instead, boost your intake of healthier drinks that build and protect bones such as freshly squeezed juices and low-fat dairy.
