Tufts University has found that consumption of cola - but not other soft drinks - harms the bone density in women. This could lead to osteoporosis.

Previous studies had found similar results, but figured that adults drank less milk than teenagers did and that perhaps the lack of calcium affected the bone denisty.

However, the current research examined the TYPE of soda being drunk. It found that people who drank non-cola drinks, such as ginger ale or orange soda, did not have any bone issues. Also, men did not have any change in bone density from their soda drinking habits.

So it was the women who lost up to 5.1% of their bone denisty if they drank 3 or more servings of cola a day. It appears that the effect was caused by the phosphoric acid in the cola, which binds to the calcium that you take in (so it is not absorbed). Also, it appears to have an affect on hormone levels in your body.

Both calcium and vitamin K are critical to maintaining healthy bones, so be sure to take vitamins that supply both of these daily. Vitamin K is found in broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, and canola oil.

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