New research has found that drinking tea may be beneficial for older women’s bone density. Excessive coffee consumption can have the opposite effect.
A 10-year study published in Nutrients, led by researchers at Flinders University, followed almost 10,000 women aged 65 and over to examine whether habitual coffee and tea consumption was associated with changes in bone mineral density (BMD). The DMO is a key indicator of osteoporosis riska disease that affects about one in three women over the age of 50 and contributes to millions of fractures worldwide every year.
Using data from the long-term Osteoporotic Fractures Study, the Flinders team analyzed repeated reports of drinking, along with detailed measurements of bone density in the hip and femoral neck, areas strongly associated with fracture risk.
The results suggest that the tea consumption may be modestly beneficial. Women who regularly drank tea had slightly higher total hip bone mineral density (BMD) compared to those who did not drink tea. Although the difference was small, it was statistically significant and could translate into fewer fractures when considered in large populations.
“Even small improvements in bone density can make a difference at a population level,” said Associate Professor Enwu Liu from the Faculty of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University.
Coffee consumption showed a more complex pattern. Moderate intake — about two to three cups a day — was not associated with worse bone health. However, women who drank more than five cups a day tended to have lower bone mineral density, suggesting that very high coffee consumption may have negative effects.
The impact of coffee also appeared to vary depending on other factors. Women with higher lifetime alcohol consumption showed more pronounced negative associations with coffee, while the benefits of tea were particularly evident among women with obesitysays .
The researchers point to possible biological explanations for the findings. Tea contains catechins, plant compounds that can promote bone formation and reduce bone resorption. The caffeine in coffee has been shown in laboratory studies slightly interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism, although these effects can be reduced when coffee is consumed with milk.
“For older women, a daily cup of tea can be more than a comforting habit, it can be a small step toward stronger bones,” said Liu.
