Sweetened drinks harm bone health

Osteoarthritis is often caused by wear and tear on the surface of the articular cartilage, i.e. a soft cushion between the bones. Symptoms of this condition are pain, stiffness, swelling, limited mobility, and a creaking sound when the joint is moved. One in 2 Americans may be at risk of osteoarthritis, according to data from the CDC. The study in question followed 2 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Before the work began, participants were asked about their consumption of sweetened sodas. The researchers then performed X-rays of the patients’ knees at 149, 12, 24 and 36 months of observation. The participants’ BMI was also monitored. They found that the participants, especially the men who drank high-calorie sodas, had the worst knee joints – photos showed progressive narrowing of the joint surface, a measurable symptom osteoarthritis. In people who did not drink this type of drink, the photos showed less progression of the disease. The greatest progress was found in men who drank more than five such drinks a week.

source: ScienceNews.pl