A recent research report outlines the benefits of consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables.  Benefits include good bone health, reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers (bowel, stomach, and breast). The study examined fruit and vegetable intake in both adolescents and older persons.  Results showed a positive association between fruit and vegetable intake and bone health for both adolescents and older women.  In particular, the bones of the hip and spine were found to be especially stronger in these individuals as well as having higher total bone mineral content.

Older women who doubled their fruit intake had a remarkable 5% increase in spine bone mineral content. In addition, adolescent boys who doubled their fruit intake (above average) had 240 grams higher bone mineral content.

The importance of this study is timely.  An editorial in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that the United States has “an epidemic of osteoporosis.” Global estimates for 2006 indicate that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men now aged 55 or older will have osteoporosis in their lifetime. This significantly increases the risk of serious fractures, which currently results in costs of $18 billion yearly. A call for action is given, “We urgently need public health strategies to maintain bone health throughout the life cycle and to prevent osteoporosis in later life.”

The Bottom Line:

Eating more fruits and vegetables may provide a very sensible strategy for preventing osteoporosis as well as providing numerous other health advantages. Current dietary guidelines recommend eating at least 5 servings (2.5 cups) of vegetables and 4 servings (2 cups) of fruit per day.

Sources: Lanham-New S. A. (June 2006). Fruit and vegetables: the unexpected natural answer to the question of osteoporosis prevention? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 83:1254-5; Prynne C. J., et al. (June 2006). Fruit and vegetable intakes and bone mineral status. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 83:1420-8.