Study finds link between living in green areas and reduced bone fragility

Natural plantings reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Research shows that living in green areas is not only pleasing to the eyes, but also reduces the likelihood of developing brittle bones. According to the analysis, this may be the result of lower air pollution

People living in greener areas tend to have higher bone density and a lower risk of osteoporosis, a new study has found.

This could be a result of lower air pollution, which is known to cause inflammation, according to a study of almost 400,000 Britons.

Experts say trees and plants act as natural filters, removing pollutants from the air and reducing the risk to those who live there.

The researchers examined people’s “greenness exposure” using a metric called the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), derived from satellite imagery.

Statistical analysis showed that people living in greener areas had increased bone strength and were less likely to develop osteoporosis during the follow-up period.

The authors estimated NDVI in approximately 300-meter increments of green space availability within a range of 300 to 1,500 meters from a residential building.

According to the findings, published in the BMJ, for each such increase in NDVI, they found an increase in bone mineral density and a 5% reduction in the risk of osteoporosis.

Greener areas also had lower levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution (typically caused by the burning of fossil fuels, from car exhaust).

Previous studies have shown that exposure to air pollution can cause oxidative stress, inflammation and hormonal disruption, which increases the risk of osteoporosis, the researchers note.

Physical activity is also associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis, perhaps because living in green areas provides more opportunities to exercise, the scientists suggest.

Researchers at Central South University in Changsha, China, said: “The results of this study provide the first evidence that residential greening is associated with higher bone density and a reduced risk of osteoporosis. These results provide valuable information about the potential of green spaces to prevent the onset of osteoporosis and highlight the importance of urban greening in the development of effective prevention strategies.”