Here is yet another study that evaluated a connection between soft drinks and an increased risk of osteoporosis. This time, researchers examined dietary data and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements in both men and women to find whether there was an effect from cola and other carbonated beverages consumed, and if the type of carbonated beverage (regular, caffeine-free, and diet) contributed to any difference.

Researchers with the Framingham Offspring Study examined data for 1672 women and 1148 men from 1996 to 2001. BMD was measured at the spine and three hip sites. They evaluated dietary intake by administering a food frequency questionnaire that included the number of servings of cola and other carbonated beverages consumed, and that differentiated between regular, caffeine-free, and diet beverages.

The data analysis adjusted for body mass index (BMI), age, height, energy intake, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, use of osteoporosis medication, use of use of calcium and vitamin D supplements, intake of calcium and vitamin D from diet, and for women, menopause status and estrogen use.

Women Affected By Cola
Overall, “women, but not men, consuming more than one 12-oz. serving per day of any type of cola had significantly lower BMD at each of the three hip sites than those consuming less than one serving per day,” explains Tucker.

Women who drank more than one 12-oz. cola per day had a BMD that was 2.3% lower at the trochanter, 3.3% lower at the femoral neck, and 5.1% at Ward’s area than those who drank less than one serving a day. Spine BMD was 1.2% lower, a non-significant statistic.

Unlike most other soft drinks, colas contain phosphorous in the form of phosphoric acid. This relates to 44mg to 52 mg in a 12-oz. can of regular soda, and 27 mg. to 39mg in a 12-oz. can of diet cola.

“There are also phosphorous additives in many processed foods that may be of concern but have not been clearly tested,” states Tucker.

They did not find a significant relationship between BMD at any site and either total carbonated beverage consumption or noncola beverage consumption. Results did not change when adjustments were made for caffeine intake.