Key points from article :
Those who follow vegan diet are at a 43 per cent higher risk of bone fracture compared to those who eat meat.
Vegans are at more than double the risk of suffering from a hip fracture than meat-eaters.
Study conducted on nearly 50,000 UK participants.
Risk was partly reduced once BMI, dietary calcium and dietary protein intake were taken into account.
“First study on the risks of both total and site-specific fracture in people of different diet groups” - Tammy Tong, lead author.
Predominantly plant-based diets can result in improved nutrient levels.
"Individuals should consider benefits and risks, and ensure adequate levels of calcium and protein and also maintain a healthy BMI" - Dr Tong.
Limitations included that most of the participants were white European.
Authors unable to track potential dietary calcium supplementation.
Research by University of Oxford published in BMC Medicine.
