Olive oil may be most well known in the health world for its heart benefits, but the monounsaturated fat could also protect against breast cancer, improve brain health and perk up hair, skin and nails.

And now an olive oil-rich diet may boost your health for another reason: It seems to help strengthen the bones, according to a new study.

A team of Spanish researchers examined 127 men between the ages of 55 and 80. The men who ate a Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil displayed higher levels of osteocalcin in their blood, according to the study, a known marker of strong and healthy bones, The Independent reports.

"The intake of olive oil has been related to the prevention of osteoporosis in experimental and in vitro models," lead author José Manuel Fernández-Real, M.D., Ph.D., said in a statement. "This is the first randomized study which demonstrates that olive oil preserves bone, at least as inferred by circulating bone markers, in humans."

Earlier research has shown that olive oil might protect against osteoporosis, according to The Independent, and the bone disease generally occurs less frequently in Mediterranean countries compared to the rest of Europe.

However, the findings don't necessarily mean it's time to swap that glass of milk for a couple of tablespoons of olive oil.

"It doesn't replace calcium and vitamin D in the diet, however," Keith-Thomas Ayoob, a dietitian and professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, told ABC News. "But including all three, and regular exercise, are showing promise as the best way to ensure good bone health."

But milk (and yogurt and cheese) isn't the only way to keep your skeleton strong. Here are some other healthy eats that have been linked to bone health.

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  • Soy

    Soy foods are protein-rich, dairy-free ways to up your calcium intake. The average adult needs about <a href="http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/" target="_hplink">1,000 milligrams of this essential nutrient every day</a>. A half-cup serving of tofu fortified with calcium (<a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/nutrition-101/calcium-magnesium-vitamin-k-00400000055855/page7.html" target="_hplink">not all brands are prepared this way</a>, CookingLight.com points out) contains about <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/4817" target="_hplink">25 percent of that</a>. A cup of soybeans contains <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3229" target="_hplink">261 milligrams of calcium</a>, plus 108 milligrams of magnesium (more on that later).

  • Fatty Fish

    Milk, cheese, yogurt and tofu won't do you much good without your daily dose of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. Most adults need about <a href="http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-QuickFacts/" target="_hplink">600 international units (IU) of vitamin D each day</a>, according to the National Institutes of Health. Research shows that women who get more than 500 IU a day are <a href="http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/get-stronger-bones " target="_hplink">40 percent less likely to fracture a hip</a>, <em>Women's Health</em> reported. A three-ounce serving of <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/4529" target="_hplink">sockeye salmon clocks in at nearly 450 IU</a>, a can of <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/4531" target="_hplink">sardines contains 178 IU</a> and three ounces of <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/4566" target="_hplink">canned tuna totals about 70 IU</a>.

  • Fortified Cereal

    A number of breakfast options come <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/15/get-vitamin-d_n_1671396.html#slide=1221629" target="_hplink">fortified with a punch of vitamin D</a>. For maximum bone benefit, look for a cereal brand with at <a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/nutrition-101/calcium-magnesium-vitamin-k-00400000055855/page11.html" target="_hplink">least 10 percent of your recommended daily intake</a>, CookingLight.com suggests. <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27927484@N00/6414517921/" target="_hplink">S John Davey</a></em>

  • Almonds

    Nuts -- like olive oil -- are rich in healthy fats and part of the typical Mediterranean diet, although the new study found a stronger relationship between healthy bones and a diet enriched with olive oil than a diet enriched with nuts. A one-ounce serving of almonds contains <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/25/calcium-food-sources_n_1451010.html#s903289&title=Almonds" target="_hplink">80 milligrams of calcium</a>, but it also packs nearly <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3697" target="_hplink">80 milligrams of magnesium</a>, another <a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/nutrition-101/calcium-magnesium-vitamin-k-00400000055855/page12.html" target="_hplink">key player for strong bones</a>. The average adult needs around <a href="http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/" target="_hplink">300 to 400 milligrams a day</a>, according to the NIH.

  • Leafy Greens

    Vitamin K "<a href="http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/get-stronger-bones#ixzz23dNgSqxC" target="_hplink">enable[s] certain bone forming proteins</a> to do their job," Sarah Booth, Ph.D., director of the Vitamin K Laboratory at Tufts University in Boston told <em>Women's Health</em>. Eating more of this vitamin, found predominantly in foods like kale, spinach and Swiss chard, is linked to a lower risk of hip fracture, the magazine reported. Most adults should aim to get at least <a href="http://www.iom.edu/Home/Global/News Announcements/~/media/Files/Activity Files/Nutrition/DRIs/DRI_Vitamins.ashx" target="_hplink">90 to 120 micrograms a day</a>, according to the Institute of Medicine. Just one cup of <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3050" target="_hplink">raw kale contains 547</a> and a cup of <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3233" target="_hplink">spinach has 145</a>.

  • Potatoes

    Some research suggests that a <a href="http://jn.nutrition.org/content/138/1/164S.full.pdf" target="_hplink">potassium-rich diet</a> may counteract some of the decline in calcium absorption seen in the typical Western diet. The average adult needs about <a href="http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Nutrition/SummaryDRIs/~/media/Files/Activity Files/Nutrition/DRIs/5_Summary Table Tables 1-4.pdf" target="_hplink">4,700 milligrams of potassium</a> a day. One medium sweet spud with skin has <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3555" target="_hplink">542 milligrams</a> and a medium white potato with the skin has <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3152" target="_hplink">751 milligrams</a>. <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganfeast/3662019664/" target="_hplink">Vegan Feast Catering</a></em>

  • Bananas

    Bananas are a well-known potassium gold mine, but don't often make lists of foods for healthy bones. However, at <a href="http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2260" target="_hplink">422 milligrams for a medium fruit</a>, they're not to be ignored. <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rinses/3602799397/" target="_hplink">(rinse)</a></em>

  • Fortified Orange Juice

    Your favorite brand probably makes a variety of OJ fortified with both calcium and vitamin D, which can give your bone health a morning boost. But it may deliver even more bang for your buck: Studies have also shown that orange juice in general <a href="http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20365458_12,00.html" target="_hplink">might help the body <em>absorb</em> calcium</a>, Health.com reported. <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22201094@N08/4335046859/" target="_hplink">ecooper99</a></em>

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