Dairy Intake Linked to Fewer Fractures in Women

Long-Term Study Reveals Benefits of Milk and Cheese for Bone Health

A new 25-year study suggests that regular consumption of dairy products, particularly liquid forms like milk and yogurt, may significantly reduce the risk of fractures in aging women. The research adds to a growing body of evidence about the importance of diet for maintaining bone strength.

Study Uncovers Specific Dairy Benefits

Researchers investigated the connection between dairy consumption and fracture risk in a large group of Finnish women. The findings, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, revealed that higher intake of liquid dairy was associated with a lower risk of both osteoporotic and general fractures.

Interestingly, the study also found a specific benefit from cheese consumption. High intake of cheese was linked to a substantial reduction in the risk of hip fractures – a particularly dangerous type of break. Aleghehband and colleagues followed 14,220 women born between 1932 and 1941.

Fractures are a major public health concern, especially as populations age. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately one in two women over 50 will experience a fracture in their lifetime. This study provides valuable insight into how dietary choices can help mitigate this risk.

How the Research Was Conducted

The study began in 1989 and tracked the participants for an average of 17.6 years, accumulating 245,005 person-years of data. Women self-reported their dairy intake, specifying amounts of milk, yogurt, sour milk, and cheese. Fractures reported by participants were then verified through medical records.

Researchers carefully excluded fractures resulting from major trauma, focusing on those more commonly linked to osteoporosis, such as those in the wrist, spine, and hip. They also accounted for other factors that could influence fracture risk, including physical activity, vitamin D and calcium supplementation, and body mass index (BMI).

Key Findings and Implications

Women who consumed moderate or high amounts of liquid dairy experienced a 23% and 26% reduction in any fracture risk, respectively, compared to those who did not consume liquid dairy. The risk of osteoporotic fractures was reduced by 31% and 36% in the same groups.

While liquid dairy didn’t significantly impact hip fracture risk, high cheese intake was associated with a 47% reduction in hip fractures. Lyytinen noted that the relatively small number of hip fracture events may have limited the statistical power of this particular finding.

“This study showed that a higher intake of liquid dairy products was associated with a reduced risk of osteoporotic and other fractures, but not hip fractures. In contrast, cheese intake showed no association with overall fracture risk but was linked to a reduced risk of hip fractures.”

—F.R. Aleghehband, Researcher

The researchers suggest that differences in bone types – trabecular bone in the spine versus cortical bone in the hip – may explain the site-specific effects of dairy. The protein-to-calcium ratio and sodium content in different dairy products could also play a role.

Promoting liquid dairy consumption may be a beneficial strategy for reducing fracture risk in aging populations. Further research is needed to explore the specific effects of different cheese types and to confirm these findings in more diverse populations.