Canadian researchers looked at the overall dietary patterns of more than 5,000 men and women over age 50 to see if there was a correlation between overall diet and risk of bone fractures.
The McGill University study discovered that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains may reduce the risk of bone fractures, particularly in older women.
The study identified two dietary patterns, one nutrient-rich with fruit, veggies and whole grains; the other, energy-rich with soft drinks, potato chips, French fries, meats, and desserts.
In general, the research found that for each 40 percent increase in calories from fruits, vegetables and other nutrient-rich foods, the odds of suffering a fracture over ten years fell by 14 percent among women.
This was true even when accounting for other factors such as body weight, bone density, smoking habits and calcium and vitamin D intake.
Study author, Lisa Langsetmo believes that while previous studies demonstrated a link between dietary habits and risk of health problems, the results of this particular study help us better understand the strong link between diet and the fragility of the skeleton.