Coffee, Tea Affect Older Women's Bone
A 10-year study of 10,000 older women found tea drinking linked to slightly higher hip bone density, while consuming over five cups of coffee daily was
A new study tracking nearly 10,000 women for a decade has found that daily beverage choices may influence bone health in later life. Researchers from Flinders University report that tea consumption was linked to slightly higher bone density, while very high coffee intake was associated with lower density.
Published in the journal Nutrients, the research followed women aged 65 and older for 10 years as part of the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. The team repeatedly measured bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and femoral neck, key sites for osteoporotic fractures, and tracked participants' coffee and tea habits.
Tea's Modest Protective Link
The data revealed a small but statistically significant association. Women who drank tea had slightly higher total hip bone mineral density compared to non-tea drinkers. The researchers note the effect is modest but could be meaningful at a population level.
"Even small improvements in bone density can translate into fewer fractures across large groups," said Adjunct Associate Professor Enwu Liu from Flinders University's College of Medicine and Public Health. Co-author Ryan Liu suggested that catechins, compounds abundant in tea, may promote bone formation and slow its breakdown.
The Complicated Role of Coffee
Coffee consumption showed a more nuanced relationship with bone health. Drinking moderate amounts, about two to three cups per day, was not associated with harm. However, a negative link emerged at higher intakes.
| Beverage Consumption | Association with Hip Bone Mineral Density |
|---|---|
| Tea drinking | Slightly higher BMD |
| Moderate coffee (2-3 cups/day) | No significant association |
| High coffee (>5 cups/day) | Lower BMD |
Women who reported drinking more than five cups of coffee per day had lower bone density. Ryan Liu noted that caffeine can interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism, though these effects are small and can be offset by adding milk.
Lifestyle Factors Modify the Effects
The study found that other health behaviors influenced these relationships. The apparent negative association with high coffee consumption was stronger among women with higher lifetime alcohol intake. Conversely, the potential beneficial link with tea was more pronounced in women with obesity.
Associate Professor Enwu Liu emphasized the findings suggest regularly drinking tea could be a simple way to support bone health. "While moderate coffee drinking appears safe, very high consumption may not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol," he said.
The researchers caution that the observed differences were modest and not large enough to justify drastic individual lifestyle changes. They stress that adequate calcium and vitamin D intake remain the foundational strategies for maintaining bone strength. For older women, however, choosing tea over excessive coffee might offer an additional small benefit.
The paper's authors conclude that what's in your daily cup could play a supporting role in long-term skeletal health.
