Toberu Orimolade Thu 08-Sep-22 22:09:11

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A plant-based diet might be good for your general health, as well as the planet - but scientists are warning that vegetarian women are more susceptible to hip fractures later in life than those who regularly eat meat and fish.

Hip fractures - a problem which is most common in elderly women - can be extremely debilitating, with most patients unable to stand or walk.

This kind of fracture is three times more common in elderly women than men, in part because women lose bone density much faster than ageing men. But even among women, some are more at risk of suffering hip fractures.

Vegetarian diets 'can be healthy or unhealthy'

In the study published in the journal BMC Medicine, researchers admit not knowing the exact reason why women following plant-based diets are more at risk of hip fractures, but they speculate that this might be because those women are taking in lower amounts of important nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12.

But that doesn’t mean a plant-based diet isn’t good for people, nor that the scientists at the University of Leeds are saying women should ditch a vegetarian diet.

What can vegetarian women do to improve their bone health?

Though more research is needed into why vegetarian women are more at risk of hip fractures, the study suggests women on plant-based diets avoid being underweight, fortify their diet with nutrients like B12 and omega-3 fatty acids and maintain a physically active life to improve their bone health.

To reduce their risk of hip fracture, Webster suggests that vegetarians can:

- Maintain a healthy body weight;

- Eat a balanced diet high in whole grains, nuts, legumes, beans, and eggs/milk (unless you are vegan);

- Consider eating fortified foods, for example, cereals with added micronutrients, such as B vitamins, iron, and protein, or, for vegans, milk alternatives fortified with calcium and vitamin D;

- Consider supplementing vitamin B12 and omega-3s – an easy, inexpensive added precaution;

- Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol excessively;

- Exercise regularly.

"There are many benefits of the vegetarian diet, including health, environmental, and ethical aspects, that should be considered alongside our finding of a greater risk of hip fracture in vegetarians," said Webster. "Other studies show a reduced risk of other chronic diseases, such as some cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease".

A plant-based diet is also estimated to be the best change you can make in your life to cut your greenhouse gas emission while eating less meat on a global level could have a profound impact on fighting back against the climate crisis.