A study finds a correlation between the consumption of two sodas a day and the risk of hip fracture in postmenopausal women.
Sugary drinks are bad for your health, it’s no surprise, but their consequences on the body are sometimes unexpected. According to researchers, consuming this type of beverage every day could weaken the bones of postmenopausal women. They make the observation in the scientific journal Menopause.
Data on over 72,000 women
In its work, the scientific team analyzed the links between consumption of sugary drinks and bone density in the hip and spine, as well as between the quantity of sodas consumed and the risk of hip fracture. In total, they collected data from more than 72,000 women over a period of 16 years to conduct their study.
Higher risk of hip fracture
According to their results, there is “a 26% higher risk of hip fracture in women who drink an average of 14 sodas per week or more, compared to those who do not consume any”. According to them, these effects would be observed only with non-caffeinated drinks. On the other hand, they did not find a correlation between the consumption of sodas and bone density.
Conclusions to be confirmed
The researchers note two main limitations to their study. First, the consumption of sodas was measured only at the start of the research, whereas eating habits can change. The second limitation concerns the risk factors: even if the research team took into account a large number of them, it is always possible to ignore one that has a significant impact on the results.
The need for further research
According to the scientists, more research is needed on this topic to understand the origin of this correlation. According to them, added sugars could have a negative impact on calcium balance and mineral homeostasis, that is to say the stability of mineral concentrations in the body. Their second hypothesis concerns gasification in the body: the formation of carbonic acid could modify gastric acidity and have consequences on the absorption of nutrients. According to High Authority of Healthin France, there are approximately 50,000 cases of hip fractures each year among women, compared to 16,000 for men.
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