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In addition, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake may be beneficial for bone health, especially among older adults. A note about sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms, “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more. Worldwide, 1 in 3 females and 1 in 5 males over the age of 50 will be affected by a broken bone due to osteoporosis, and osteoporosis or low bone mass affects 54% of Americans. A person’s diet can affect bone health, so people must consider nutrition to maintain their bone mass. This article discusses how nutrients affect the bones and which foods are best to eat and avoid. How diet affects bone health Share on PinterestDaniela White Images/Getty ImagesBone does not remain static throughout life — it is constantly breaking down and rebuilding as part of normal bone metabolism. Two main types of cells, osteoblasts and osteoclasts, participate in this process. Osteoblasts form new bone, while osteoclasts break down old bone in a process called resorption. However, if bone metabolism becomes unbalanced, bones can become less dense, weaker, and brittle. As a result, a doctor may diagnose low bone mass or osteoporosis. Several factors can cause bone loss, including aging, menopause, and certain medications. Moreover, consuming key nutrients for bone health can help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and keep bones healthy. Individuals should ensure to include the following nutrients and foods in their diet to keep bones healthy: Calcium The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases advises that low calcium intake throughout life has an association with low bone mass and high fracture rates. From 51 years, females require 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium daily, and males need 1,000 mg. People can ensure they consume calcium by including dairy or soy products, fish with bones, and leafy green vegetables in their diets. The following shows the calcium content of some common foods:fortified oatmeal, packet: 350 mg calciumsardines, canned in oil, with edible bones, 3 ounces (oz): 324 mg calciumcheddar cheese, 1.5 oz, shredded: 306 mg calciummilk, nonfat, 1 cup: 302 mg calciumtofu, firm, with calcium, 0.5 cup: 204 mg calciumorange juice, fortified with calcium, 6 oz: 200–260 mg calciumbaked beans, 1 cup: 142 mg calcium Vitamin D The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, and a deficiency of vitamin D could cause the weakening of the bones and skeleton. Experts recommend that individuals up to 70 years have a daily intake of 600 IU (International Units) of vitamin D. People over age 70 should increase their uptake to 800 IU daily, which they can also obtain from supplements. People can get vitamin D from sunlight and food. The following foods contain vitamin D:egg yolksoily fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel, and tunabeef livercheesemushrooms that producers have treated with UV lightmilk, margarine, orange juice, and cereals that manufacturers have fortified with vitamin D Protein Research suggests that protein can be both beneficial and detrimental to bone health, as different studies have produced different results on the effects of protein on bone health. However, according to the Framingham Osteoporosis study, there is a link between low protein intake and greater bone loss and hip fractures in older adults. The study concluded that the combination of sufficient protein and calcium intake appears to benefit bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, eating a diet with sufficient protein and calcium seems wise. Protein-rich foods include:meatfisheggsdairy productsbeans, lentils, and legumessoy productsseitannuts and seeds Micronutrients and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables The Framingham Osteoporosis Study identified that people with a higher fruit and vegetable intake had better BMD and less bone loss. The nutrients in fruits and vegetables that the study indicated are beneficial to bone health include:vitamin Cvitamin Kmagnesiumpotassiumfolatecarotenoids A 2017 cross-sectional study of Chinese people aged 40–75 years found that a higher fruit and vegetable intake correlates with higher BMD and lowers the risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, a 2019 meta-analysis found moderate-quality evidence that increasing a person’s fruit and vegetable intake by at least one serving per day decreases the risk of fractures. Foods to limit or avoid In addition to eating a healthy diet to support bone health, people should be aware of some detrimental foods and drinks. Salt According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, overconsumption of salt can cause the kidneys to excrete calcium. Therefore, people who have a low calcium intake should avoid adding salt to food or eating too many processed foods that can contain excess salt. Foods containing oxalates and phytates The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation advises that some substances in food can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb calcium. These include phytates in beans, wheat bran, and legumes and oxalates in spinach and beets. Soaking and cooking these foods can help to reduce these compounds. Alcohol Experts advise that alcohol negatively affects bone health for several reasons. Firstly, drinking excessive alcohol can interfere with the body’s absorption of calcium and vitamin D. In addition, chronic heavy drinking can disrupt hormones, such as elevating cortisol levels, which can break down more bone. Males may produce less testosterone, a hormone that has links to bone formation, while females may notice irregular menstrual cycles. Irregular menstrual cycles can reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, which increases the risk of osteoporosis. Moreover, people under the influence of alcohol are more at risk of falls and bone fractures. Caffeine A 2021 study found that 800 mg of caffeine consumed in 6 hours increased the clearance of calcium by the kidneys by 77%. An older study suggests that as coffee may increase the amount of calcium the body excretes in urine, people should not drink more than three cups per day, especially if they are older. Additionally, the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation advises that caffeine in soft drinks such as colas can have the same adverse effects. Learn 11 ways to increase bone density naturally. Summary To protect bones throughout life, people should eat a healthy diet containing essential nutrients and engage in physical activity. Calcium, vitamin D, and protein are vital protective nutrients and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in fruit and vegetables. Older adults may wish to limit coffee to three cups per day and avoid excessive alcohol. Avoiding excessive alcohol and salt may be beneficial for everyone for overall health and well-being, especially those who have limited calcium intake. Last medically reviewed on May 30, 2022OsteoporosisBones / OrthopedicsNutrition / Diet 14 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.About osteoporosis (n.d.).https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/patients/about-osteoporosisBaig, M. A., et al. (2022). Histology, bone.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541132/Brondani, J. E., et al. (2019). Fruit and vegetable intake and bones: A systematic review and meta-analysis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6544223Calcium and vitamin D: Important at every age (2018).https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/nutrition/calcium-and-vitamin-d-important-every-ageFood and your bones - osteoporosis nutrition guidelines (n.d.).https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/treatment/nutritionKim, S. Y. (2014). Coffee consumption and risk of osteoporosis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3912260Nutrition (n.d.).https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/health-professionals/prevention/nutritionQui, R., et al. (2017). Greater intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with greater bone mineral density and lower osteoporosis risk in middle-aged and elderly adults.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5207626Reuter, S. E., et al. (2021). The effect of high-dose, short-term caffeine intake on the renal clearance of calcium, sodium and creatinine in healthy adults.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33852164Sahni, S., et al. (2015). Dietary approaches for bone health: Lessons from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928581Sozen, T., et al. (2016). An overview and management of osteoporosis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5335887Vitamin D [Factsheet]. (2022).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessionalWhat people recovering from alcoholism need to know about osteoporosis (2018).https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/osteoporosis/conditions-behaviors/alcoholismWright, N. C., et al. (2014). The recent prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass in the united states based on bone mineral density at the femoral neck or lumbar spine.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4757905FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN — By Louisa Richards on May 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageCan walking with weights help with osteoporosis?Medically reviewed by Amy Elizabeth Wolkin, PT, DPT, MBA Walking with weights can help improve bone strength and prevent bone loss. 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