Whole Grains Associated with Improved Bone Mineral Density

Low bone mineral density causes bones to become weaker, increasing the chance of fractures and osteoporosis. To determine the relationship between diet and bone health, researchers analyzed the food intakes and bone mineral density of over 1800 Korean adults. Four different dietary patterns emerged from this data (rice and kimchi; eggs, meat, and flour; fruit, milk, and whole grains; and fast food and soda). The ‘fruit, milk and whole grains’ pattern was associated with higher bone mineral density at multiple sites for both men and women, while ‘rice and kimchi’ pattern was only associated with higher bone mineral density in the arms. The other food patterns were not linked with bone health.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2014 Nov 5. [Epub ahead of print] (Shin S et al.)