A groundbreaking study has found that following the Mediterranean diet may significantly improve bone health and reduce fracture risk, according to new research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The study, which followed over 1,500 participants for five years, discovered that those adhering closely to the Mediterranean eating pattern showed 25% higher bone mineral density and 30% fewer fractures compared to those following typical Western diets. Researchers attribute these benefits to the diet’s rich anti-inflammatory compounds, particularly from olive oil, nuts, and leafy greens.
The Mediterranean diet, long celebrated for its heart health and longevity benefits, now adds bone protection to its impressive list of health advantages. “What’s particularly exciting about these findings is that they suggest dietary intervention could be as effective as some medications for maintaining bone health, but without the side effects,” said Dr. Elena Martínez, the study’s lead author. The research also indicated that the diet’s benefits were most pronounced in post-menopausal women and adults over 65 - demographics particularly vulnerable to osteoporosis and fractures. This discovery opens new possibilities for non-pharmaceutical approaches to bone health management as populations worldwide continue to age.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/11/health/mediterranean-diet-bone-health/index.html