Plant-Based Diets Reduce Risk of Osteoporosis in Older Adults

Older adults who eat a plant-based diet may reduce their risk of osteoporosis, according to a new study published in the journal Osteoporosis International. Researchers evaluated the diets of almost 10,000 adults over the age of 60 and took ultrasounds of their bones. People who ate a healthy plant-based diet had higher bone mineral density than those eating animal foods. This study also found a clear dose-response relationship, with healthier, plant-based diets being most protective against osteoporosis.¹ 

Previous research supports these findings. Eating a healthy, plant-based diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D has been found to protect against osteoporosis. The totality of evidence suggests that a plant-based diet is beneficial to bone health, not detrimental.^2,3