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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #186782
Title: Colas, but not other carbonated beverages, are associated with low bone mineral density in older women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study

Author
item Tucker, Katherine
item MORITA, KYOKO - UNIV OF TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN
item QIAO, NING - TUFTS/HNRCA
item HANNAN, MARIAN - HEBREW REHAB CTR FOR AGED
item CUPPLES, L - BOSTON UNIV SCH PUBLIC HL
item KIEL, DOUGLAS - HEBREW REHAB CTR FOR AGED

Submitted to: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2006
Publication Date: 10/6/2006
Citation: Tucker, K.L., Morita, K., Qiao, N., Hannan, M.T., Cupples, L.A., Kiel, D.P. 2006. Colas, but not other carbonated beverages, are associated with low bone mineral density in older women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 84(4):936-42.

Interpretive Summary: Some past research has suggested that soft drink consumption may have adverse effects on bone health. In addition to displacing healthier beverages, colas contain caffeine and phosphoric acid, which may adversely affect bone. In this study, we hypothesized that consumption of cola is associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD). Dietary intake and BMD were measured in 1413 women and 1125 men participating in the Framingham Offspring Study. The study methods controlled for body-mass index (BMI), height, age, energy intake, physical activity score, smoking, alcohol use, total calcium intake, total vitamin D intake, caffeine from non-cola sources, season of measurement, and for women - menopausal status and estrogen use. High cola intake was associated with significantly lower BMD in women, but not men. Similar results were seen for diet cola and, although weaker, for decaffeinated cola. There were no significant relationships between non-cola carbonated beverage consumption and BMD. Cola, but not other carbonated soft drinks, may contribute to lower BMD in adult women.

Technical Abstract: Soft drink consumption may have adverse effects on BMD, but studies have shown mixed results. In addition to displacing healthier beverages, colas contain caffeine and phosphoric acid (H3PO4), which may adversely affect bone. We hypothesized that consumption of cola is associated with lower BMD. BMD was measured at the spine and three hip sites for 1413 women and 1125 men in the Framingham Offspring Study, using a Lunar DPX-L. Dietary intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. We regressed each BMD measure onto frequency of soft drink consumption for men and women, adjusting for BMI, height, age, energy intake, physical activity score, smoking, alcohol use, total calcium intake, total vitamin D intake, caffeine from non-cola sources, season of measurement and, for women, menopausal status and estrogen use. Cola intake was associated with significantly lower BMD at each of the hip sites, (P<0.05-0.001) in women, but not men. Relative to those consuming <1 serving/month, mean BMD of those with daily cola intake was 3.7% lower at the femoral neck and 5.4% lower at Ward's area. Similar results were seen for diet cola and, although weaker, for decaffeinated cola. There were no significant relationships between non-cola carbonated beverage consumption and BMD. Total phosphorus intake was not higher, but calcium/phosphorus ratios were lower in daily cola consumers relative to non-consumers. Cola, but not other carbonated soft drinks, may contribute to lower BMD in adult women.