Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2008. / Title from web page (viewed on Apr. 14, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

The study investigated whether dietary flavonoid intake and dietary patterns were associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover in postmenopausal Scottish women. The subjects were recruited in 1990-3, and the majority of them returned 6.3 ± 0.6 y later (mean age (SD) at baseline 54.7 (2.2) y). At the both visits they had bone density scans of the lumbar spine (LS) and hip (FN) and at the second visit they provided urine samples for analysis of bone resorption markers. Flavonoid intakes were calculated using food frequency questionnaires, “validated” for flavonoid intakes using 4-day food diaries. (R=0.76, p≤0.001 for energy adjusted total flavonoids). FN BMD was associated with flavonoid intakes at baseline and follow up (p=0.012, p=0.001 respectively after adjusting for confounders) and LS BMD at follow up only (p=0.038). Dietary flavanones had a negative correlation with bone resorption markers; catechins and procyanidins were associated with annual change in FN and LS BMD. Principal components analysis was used to identify five important patterns in the diets. The “healthy” diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, was negatively associated with bone resorption markers and the nutrient diets were both negatively associated with FN and LS BMD. Partial least squares analysis identified that tinned fruit and root vegetables were associated with greater bone resorption, and berries, tomatoes and juice with decreasing bone resorption. Tomato intakes were the most important when predicting bone resorption marker excretion. Tomatoes, salad, berries, and green vegetables were associated with increased BMD. Berries, applies, root vegetables and salad were the most important fruit and vegetables for predicting BMD. Results from this work confirm that fruit and vegetables are important in bone health.