Fruit May Boost Bone Health in Young Girls Osteoporosis is a
major public health problem that is growing in importance as the
population ages. Augmenting bone mass during adolescence has
been suggested as a strategy to prevent osteoporosis because
this stage of life may be the last chance to substantially
increase bone mass before skeletal consolidation. Bone Mineral
Density (BMD) is affected by genetic, endocrine, mechanical and
nutritional factors. The nutritional factors are considered to
be especially important because they have the potential to be
modified. One element of diet is its ability to influence the
body's acid-base balance. Most people consume a diet that
generates metabolic acids, which can lead to a reduction in the
concentration of systemic bicarbonate and a decrease in pH. The
decrease in pH is thought to stimulate osteoclasts to resorb
bone. Researchers in Northern Ireland recently conducted a study
to determine whether usual fruit and vegetable intakes reported
by adolescents have any inf