Scientists from Flinders University in Australia examined how coffee and tea consumption may be related to bone health in older women. The study, published in the journal Nutrients, involved nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older who were monitored for ten years, reports Sciencedaily.
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During the study, women regularly reported how much coffee and tea they drank, and scientists measured their bone mineral density. The condition of the hips and femoral neck was assessed – fractures in these areas in older age can cause particularly severe consequences.
Moderate amounts showed no harm
The results revealed that drinking two or three cups of coffee daily was not associated with poorer bone health. However, women who drank more than five cups per day had lower bone mineral density.
The negative association was more pronounced among women who consumed more alcohol throughout their lives. Nevertheless, scientists emphasize that the differences found were small, so the study results do not mean that coffee must be completely avoided.
“Moderate coffee consumption appears to be safe, but very high amounts may not be the best choice, especially for women who consume alcohol,” said one of the study authors, Enwu Liu.
Scientists explain that caffeine in coffee has been linked in laboratory studies to changes in calcium absorption and bone metabolism. However, this effect is usually small and can be mitigated by adding milk to coffee.
Tea may have a slight advantage
A different association was observed when evaluating tea consumption. Women who drank tea had slightly higher bone mineral density in their hips compared to study participants who did not drink tea.
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Although the difference was small, it was considered statistically significant. According to the researchers, even slight changes in bone density, when assessed in large population groups, can mean fewer bone fractures.
It is believed that this may be influenced by catechins in tea – plant compounds that can promote bone tissue formation and slow its degradation. The benefits of tea were somewhat more pronounced in women with obesity.
However, researchers urge not to overinterpret the results. This is an observational study, so it shows associations but does not prove that coffee specifically reduced or tea increased bone density in women. Other dietary, health, and lifestyle factors may also have influenced the results.
Calcium and vitamin D remain most important
Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases in older adults. It is estimated to affect about one in three women over 50 and causes millions of bone fractures annually.
The main measures to protect bones remain adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, physical activity, and limiting harmful habits. However, the new study results suggest that what is poured into the cup daily may also matter.
“Our results do not mean that coffee should be avoided or that tea should be consumed by the liter. However, moderate tea consumption may be one simple way to support bone health, and very high coffee intake may be unfavorable,” summarized E. Liu.
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