Previous studies suggest that cola sodas may be linked to decreased bone density and increased fracture risk. Now research reports that diet cola drinks may deplete calcium and phosphorus in women. A negative calcium balance can increase the risk for decreased bone density and fracture.
The small study, presented at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in June 2010, investigated the effect of diet cola consumption on calcium, creatinine and phosphorus levels. Researchers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington administered 24 ounces of diet cola or water (control group) to 20 healthy women ages 18 to 40, for 2 days. Urine samples were obtained from the participants for three hours after drinking the beverage. The urine was analyzed for calcium, phosphorous and creatinine levels.
The researchers found that the mean calcium excretion was 6.85 mg higher in the cola group than the control group. Furthermore, mean phosphorus excretion was 41 mg higher in the cola group.
“Certainly my personal practice among adolescent girls who tend to be concerned about their weight — and who drink diet beverages while they are in that critical period of bone formation — is to just try and counsel them to set habits of drinking calcium-containing beverages and maintaining adequate vitamin D,” says researcher Noelle Larson, MD, of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in a news release.
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