Higher quality plant-based diets have been found to be associated with a lower risk of hip fractures, according to a recent study. The study, which included data from 70,285 postmenopausal women over a 30-year period, revealed that long-term adherence to a plant-based diet was not linked to an increased risk of hip fractures.

The research, conducted using the healthful Plant-Based Diet Index (hPDI) and unhealth Plant-Based Index (uPDI), found that consumption of healthier plant-based options such as whole fruits and vegetables was associated with a 21% lower risk of fracture. On the other hand, consumption of more unhealthy plant-based options like fruit juices, processed foods, and refined grains was associated with a 28% higher risk of fracture.

As fractures become a growing public health concern, especially among older adults with decreasing bone mass, the study’s findings shed light on the potential benefits of high-quality plant-based diets for bone health. The mean age of participants at baseline was 54.92 years, and the study observed a total of 2038 cases of hip fractures during the follow-up period.

Individuals with a higher hPDI were found to have healthier diets with higher calcium intake and were more physically active, while those with a higher uPDI exhibited lower levels of physical activity and calcium intake, along with less healthy plant food consumption. The study’s adjusted hazard ratios revealed a 21% decreased risk of hip fracture associated with the hPDI, and a 28% increased risk associated with the uPDI.

These findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between plant-based diets and bone health, emphasizing the importance of consuming high-quality plant-based foods for reducing the risk of hip fractures, especially among postmenopausal women.