New research study in Menopause. 2009 Feb 20. Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:: The aim of this study was to determine whether frequent onion consumption is associated with increased bone density in perimenopausal and postmenopausal non-Hispanic white women 50 years and older.
METHODS:: An analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004 was performed. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal non-Hispanic white female participants (unweighted N = 507; weighted N = 35.7 million) were divided into those who consumed onions less than once a month, twice a month to twice a week, three to six times a week, and once a day or more based on self-reported dietary history. All study participants underwent total body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS:: After controlling for age, body mass index, daily calcium intake, serum vitamin D, serum parathyroid hormone, estrogen use, smoking status, and exercise status, bone density increased as the frequency of onion consumption increased. Individuals who consumed onions once a day or more had an overall bone density that was 5% greater than individuals who consumed onions once a month or less (P < 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS:: Onion consumption seems to have a beneficial effect on bone density in perimenopausal and postmenopausal non-Hispanic white women 50 years and older. Furthermore, older women who consume onions most frequently may decrease their risk of hip fracture by more than 20% versus those who never consume onions.
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Chomp those Onions!
- By PikaB
- Posted March 9, 2009 at 6:17 am · 6 replies
- In Osteopenia (low bone density)
- Shared with the public
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- By PikaB
- Posted March 9, 2009 at 6:19 am
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Forgot to mention the study title: "The association between onion consumption and bone density in perimenopausal and postmenopausal non-Hispanic white women 50 years and older"
- By SaraMeeks
- Posted March 9, 2009 at 9:30 am
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I haven't seen this study but there was one reported on mice a few years ago that showed an osteogenic effect with onions, garlic, cabbage, argula.
"Of Mice & Men (Women?)" might be a good title for these observations. The study's author was Mulbauer for anyone who'd like to look it up. One of their conclusions was that it's not just calcium and Vit D that makes our bones strong but it's the variety of nutrients we get in a varied diet. However, these vegetables seemed to work best.
Eat More Veggies!!
- By PikaB
- Posted March 20, 2009 at 7:59 pm
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Spunky: I'm not sure what you are asking regarding "source"? As stated above, the study results were published in the medical journal "Menopause", the Journal of the North American Menopause Society. The study was conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. The lead author of the study was Eric M. Matheson, MD, of that institution.
- By rmchavin
- Posted March 23, 2009 at 10:40 pm
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Onions are certainly helpful for everybody's bone health. This includes premenopausal girls and nonmenopausal men. However, according to a large population study in mainland China by Nanjing University, the single most spectacular benefit of onions may be its ability to prevent cancer! (The Chinese have known for years that citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vegetables in the cabbage family - broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, radishes, turnips, etc. - offered moderately strong protection against cancer. But recently, they pursued the theory that allium vegetables (onions, garlic, pearl onions, green onions, chives, and leeks) worked even better than broccoli and tomatoes. Onions defeated garlic in this study. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/84/5/1027 http://www.kcby.com/news/health/33905404.html http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=45 http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/garlic.htm
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