A new study from Flinders University in Australia offers insights into how two of the world’s most popular beverages, coffee and tea, may influence women’s bone health. The research, published in the journal ‘Nutrients’, followed nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older for a decade to explore whether their daily coffee and tea habits were linked to changes in bone mineral density (BMD), a key indicator of osteoporosis risk.
Osteoporosis is a major global health problem affecting one in three women over 50 and contributing to millions of fractures each year. Given that billions of people worldwide consume coffee and tea daily, understanding their impact on bone health is crucial. Until now, the evidence has been conflicting, and few studies have examined these relationships over such a prolonged period.
The Flinders University team analyzed data from the Osteoporotic Fractures Study, using repeated measures of both beverage intake and BMD in the hip and femoral neck, areas strongly associated with fracture risk. Over ten years, participants reported their coffee and tea consumption, while researchers measured bone density using advanced imaging techniques.
The study revealed that those who drank tea had slightly higher total hip bone mineral density than those who did not. While the difference was modest, it was statistically significant and could have significant implications at a population level.
“Even small improvements in bone density can translate into fewer fractures across large groups,” says Associate Professor Enwu Liu from the College of Medicine and Public Health.
Coffee, on the other hand, revealed a more complex picture. Overall, moderate coffee consumption, two to three cups a day, did not appear to harm bone health. However, drinking more than five cups a day was associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD), suggesting that excessive consumption could be detrimental. Interestingly, women with higher lifetime alcohol consumption experienced more negative effects from coffee, while tea appeared to be particularly beneficial for women with obesity.
Ryan Liu, co-author of the paper, says that compounds called catechins, abundant in tea, may promote bone formation and slow bone breakdown. “Conversely, the caffeine content of coffee has been shown in laboratory studies to interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism, although these effects are small and can be offset by adding milk,” Liu says.
The findings suggest that enjoying a cup of tea every day could be a simple way to support bone health as we age. “While drinking coffee in moderation appears safe, very high consumption may not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol,” says Associate Professor Enwu Liu.
The authors caution that the observed differences, while statistically significant, are not large enough to warrant drastic changes for individuals. “Our results don’t mean we should give up coffee or start drinking large amounts of tea. But they do suggest that moderate tea consumption could be a simple way to support bone health, and that very high coffee consumption might not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol,” the associate professor says.
While calcium and vitamin D remain crucial for bone health, the contents of your cup might also play a role. For older women, enjoying a daily cup of tea may be more than just a comforting ritual; it could be a small step toward stronger bones, he concludes.
