‘Clean eating’ linked to osteoporosis

We are facing a future in which broken bones will become just the norm

A GENERATION gripped by “clean eating” fads and dairyfree diets could be raising their risk of developing osteoporosis in later life.

The National Osteoporosis Society found four in 10 young adults had tried fashionable diets that avoided dairy, gluten, grain and sugar – while more than a fifth had severely restricted their intake of milk and cheese.

Fuelled by social media, the clean-eating trend has surged in popularity in recent years, with some advocates – such as sisters Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley – achieving celebrity status by gaining hundreds of thousands of online followers.

However, the charity warned that restrictive diets among younger people would lead to widespread health problems in later life, including osteoporosis, which causes bones to become brittle.

Professor Susan Newnham, an expert in nutrition at the University of Surrey, said, “Diet in early adulthood is so important because by the time we get into our late 20s it is too late to reverse the damage caused by nutrient deficiencies and the opportunity to build strong bones has passed.

“Without urgent action to encourage young adults to incorporate all food groups into their diets and avoid particular ‘clean eating’ regimes, we are facing a future in which broken bones will become just the norm.

“Osteoporosis is a painful and debilitating condition and young adults have just one chance to build strong bones and reduce their risk of developing severe problems in later life.”

The National Osteoporosis Society surveyed more than 2 000 adults and found 70% of those aged 18 to 35 were on, or had been on, a diet and 18- to 24-year-olds were most likely to have tried clean eating.

The diets often focus on avoiding processed foods and eating raw, unrefined produce.

Dairy is a key source of calcium, an essential nutrient for the health and strength of bones.

Liz Earle, who is leading the charity’s A Message to My Younger Self campaign, said she feared for her daughters.

“When I was growing up, my meals were not photographed and shared on social media. The pressure young women are under to match what their idols on Instagram are eating is really high.”