Fruits and Vegetables Protect Against Hip Fractures

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help prevent hip fractures, according to a study published this month in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Researchers analyzed fruit and vegetable intake from 75,591 men and women as part of the Cohort of Swedish Men (COSM) and the Swedish Mammography Cohort (SMC). Participants who consumed the fewest servings of fruits and vegetables had the greatest risk for hip fractures, compared with those who consumed at least 5 servings per day. The risk for hip fractures decreased as participants consumed more fruits and vegetables, with benefits plateauing after 5 servings. Researchers suspect antioxidant-rich foods may counteract oxidative stress on bones and reduce inflammation. Other nutrients abundant in fruits and vegetables, such as vitamin K, flavonoids, and lycopene, may also contribute to bone health.