A recent study from Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia, reveals that older women may significantly benefit their bone health by substituting coffee with tea. The research indicates that a daily cup of tea can help strengthen bones, while excessive coffee consumption, particularly more than five cups a day, increases the risk of fractures.
The study monitored nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older over a decade, examining how their daily coffee and tea habits correlated with changes in bone mineral density (BMD). This metric serves as a key indicator of osteoporosis risk, a condition affecting one in three women over the age of 50, resulting in millions of fractures globally each year.
This investigation, documented in the journal Nutrients, is among the first to analyze the long-term effects of these popular beverages on bone health. The research team utilized data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures, which included repeated measurements of both tea and coffee intake and BMD at critical areas such as the hip and femoral neck, known for their association with fracture risk.
Over the ten-year period, participants detailed their coffee and tea consumption, while the researchers employed advanced imaging techniques to measure bone density. The findings demonstrated that tea drinkers exhibited a slightly higher total hip BMD compared to those who did not consume tea. Although the difference was modest, the research team confirmed it was statistically significant, suggesting potential public health implications.
Professor Enwu Liu, a co-author of the study from Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health, stated, “Even small improvements in bone density can translate into fewer fractures across large groups.”
The relationship with coffee presented a more intricate picture. The study indicated that moderate coffee consumption, defined as two to three cups per day, did not appear to harm bone health. However, drinking over five cups daily was linked to lower BMD, indicating that excessive intake could be detrimental.
Interestingly, women with higher lifetime alcohol consumption experienced more pronounced adverse effects from coffee, while tea showed particular benefits for women with obesity. Ryan Liu, another study co-author, noted that catechins, which are abundant in tea, may contribute to bone formation and slow down bone breakdown.
While coffee’s caffeine content has been shown to interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism in laboratory settings, these effects are relatively minor and can be mitigated by adding milk. Professor Liu emphasized that these findings suggest enjoying a daily cup of tea could be a straightforward method to enhance bone health with age.
He remarked, “While moderate coffee drinking appears safe, very high consumption may not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol.” Nevertheless, the research team cautioned against making drastic lifestyle changes based solely on their findings.
“Our results don’t mean you need to give up coffee or start drinking tea by the gallon,” Professor Liu clarified. “But they do suggest that moderate tea consumption could be one simple way to support bone health, and that very high coffee intake might not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol. While calcium and vitamin D remain cornerstones of bone health, what’s in your cup could play a role too.”
For older women, enjoying a daily cup of tea may serve as more than just a comforting ritual; it could represent a small yet significant step towards stronger bones.
