A study of dairy intake has found that increased yoghurt consumption is associated with higher hip bone density and a significantly reduced risk of osteoporosis in older women and men.
The all-island research found that each unit increase in yoghurt intake was associated with a 39% lower risk of osteoporosis.
The same figure for men was 52% lower risk.
However, researchers have also concluded that while the study suggests that improving yoghurt intakes could be a strategy for maintaining bone health, the data requires further verification through more study.
The research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital and investigators from the University of Ulster at Coleraine. It was part-funded by the National Dairy Council.
Over 300,000 people in Ireland are thought to suffer from the condition.
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Dr Miriam Casey, senior investigator of this study and consultant at St James's, said the results demonstrated a significant association of bone health and frailty with a relatively simple and cheap food product.
However, she added that the study had to be verified with randomised controlled trials as it was still not understood how exactly the nutrients in yoghurt had such a beneficial effect.
