Parents are encouraged to actively ensure that their children, especially boys, consume plenty of vegetables and fruits, as these foods can promote strong and healthy bone development.
This is the recommendation from American scientists published in a recent issue of Clinical Nutrition.
After monitoring and studying the diets, heights, and weights of 85 boys and 67 girls aged 8 to 20 over a span of 7 years, the experts found that while most of the children consumed enough milk daily, they did not eat the necessary amount of vegetables and fruits.
The research also revealed that boys who consumed 10 servings of fruits and vegetables each day accumulated 48.6 grams more minerals in their bones compared to those who only ate one serving. Experts assert that boys who regularly eat a lot of fruits and vegetables throughout their childhood tend to have higher mineral content in their bones than those who do not.
Although no direct correlation between fruits and vegetables and bone health was found for girls, experts emphasized that girls who consume more fruits and vegetables also tend to have stronger bones.
According to specialists, childhood is a crucial time for developing a healthy skeletal system; however, children often do not consume enough calcium-rich foods necessary for strong bones. Plant-based foods are also high in vitamin K, an essential nutrient for bone cell formation.
Experts suggest that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables from a young age contributes to better health in later life and can help combat osteoporosis, obesity, and chronic weight-related diseases such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular issues.
