Low sodium intake linked to osteoporosis risk in Korean adults
What it found
In 3,869 Korean adults, lower estimated sodium intake was linked to a higher risk of early osteoporosis.
The link varied by sex and menopause status.
What they found
Studies in people
Sodium intake and bone density
Lower estimated sodium intake was linked to lower bone mineral density at the distal radius. But in subgroup analyses by sex, the link with bone density change was not significant.
Osteoporosis risk
People with the lowest sodium intake had worse osteoporosis-free survival. Lower sodium intake was an independent predictor of developing osteoporosis.
Sex differences
The link between sodium intake and osteoporosis risk differed by sex and menopause status. In men and postmenopausal women, the relationship was negative and curved; in premenopausal women, it was positive and straight.
Sodium intake levels
Men took in more sodium than women: about 2.3 grams per day for men and 1.9 grams per day for women.
What the authors conclude
“Our findings suggest that lower sodium intake was a significant predictor of incipient osteoporosis and there was wide variation in this relationship according to sex and female hormone status.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that a lower sodium diet below 2 grams per day was an independent predictor for developing incipient osteoporosis.
- They note that there was a sex disparity in the association between reduced sodium intake and the risk of incipient osteoporosis.
- They call for large population-based prospective epidemiologic studies to confirm these findings.
How it was done
Guidelines often recommend a low salt diet for bone health, but some researchers argue that low sodium may harm bones. The authors wanted to clarify the exact link between sodium intake and osteoporosis risk.
They studied 3,869 people without osteoporosis from the Ansan-Anseong cohort in South Korea. They estimated sodium intake from urine and measured bone density at the distal radius and tibia shaft.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a cross-sectional study, so it can show a link but cannot prove that low sodium intake causes osteoporosis.
- The study did not measure sex hormone levels or 24-hour urine sodium, so it cannot fully explain the role of hormones.
- The findings are from a Korean population and may not apply to other groups.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no competing interests.
- Authors work at
- Hanyang University College of Medicine, South Korea; Konkuk University School of Medicine, Korea
The paper
- Title
- The association between dietary sodium intake and osteoporosis
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Hong S, Choi JW, Park JS, Lee CH (2022). The association between dietary sodium intake and osteoporosis. Scientific reports. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-18830-4Free full textPubMed 36028560DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error