Cola Consumption Linked to Bone Loss - Osteoporosis

Can cola consumption cause bone loss in women? There is a link according to Tuff University researchers. They found that drinking cola soft drinks on a regular basis was associated with lower bone mineral density in the hip.

Lower bone density can lead to osteoporosis, which, in turn, can cause bone fractures. Complications from hip fractures are a common cause of disability -- and even death -- in women as they age. The association was not seen in men, and it was not seen in women who regularly drank noncola soft drinks.

Drinking three or more cola soft drinks a day was associated with lower bone density. Results were similar for diet colas. However, the potentially harmful effect was less for decaffeinated cola.

See WebMD for a news story on the report or the original Tuffs University report (research source provided below).

RESEARCH SOURCE: Tucker, K.L. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 2006; vol 84: pp 936-942. Katherine L. Tucker, PhD, professor of nutritional epidemiology, Tufts University, Boston. Dr. Fran Tylavsky, professor of preventive medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis.