Introduction:

Evidence suggests that intake of antioxidants could positively influence bone mass by preventing bone metabolism against oxidative stress.

Objective:

We aimed to investigate the possible influence of single antioxidant intakes and dietary antioxidant quality score (DAQs) on calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in a population of young adults.

Methods:

A total of 605 young Spanish adults participated in this study (median age 20.38 ± 2.67). Bone mass was measured by calcaneal QUS to determine broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA, dB/MHz) parameter. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis and dietary intakes were determined using a 72-hour diet recall interview. DAQs was applied to calculate antioxidant nutrients intake. Linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the possible influence of DAQs on calcaneal QUS.

Results:

Most of young adults showed a low-quality antioxidant intake (only 17.6% of women and 20.3% of men had a score of 4 or 5 in DAQs). A positive correlation between DAQs and BUA was observed in women (r = 0.117; p = 0.024). Linear regression analysis revealed that DAQs was significantly associated with BUA parameter in women after adjusting by body weight, height, calcium intake and physical activity (PA) (p = 0.035). No significant associations between single antioxidant and calcaneus QUS measurement were found.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that high-quality antioxidant intakes could influence bone health in young women. Future studies should further investigate the protective role of antioxidant nutrients against osteoporosis.

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