Public health researchers at Flinders University in Australia conducted a study on the tea and coffee consumption habits of American women over 65 years old and the effect this has on their osteoporosis, which has been published in Nutrients. Bone mineral density (BMD) parameters in the hip and the narrow part of the hip joint of the femur were measured using X-rays in order to analyze whether the consumption of these beverages offered any benefit in bone reconstruction.
At first glance, the results seem to indicate that compounds in tea called catechins could provide a boost to bone regeneration, while coffee consumption showed mixed results. According to Flinders epidemiologist Enwu Liu, the results are not entirely accurate, as the sample only included white women.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease through which the bones become weakened, becoming increasingly porous, fragile, and prone to breaking easily. It is called the “silent disease” because it does not present symptoms until a fracture occurs, commonly in the hip, wrist, or spine, affecting postmenopausal women and older adults the most. The risk for older women is related to estrogen levels, as after menopause, this hormone, which supports bone metabolism, decreases.
Study
In light of this reality, a group of public health researchers from Flinders University in Australia conducted a study aimed at analyzing the effect of tea and coffee consumption habits on the diagnosis of osteoporosis. For this, they used a sample of approximately 9,700 women, American women over 65 years old, who self-reported their habits in a survey conducted four times over a period of about 10 years. In addition, they also collected data on their bone health: they measured bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip and the narrow part of the femur joint at the hip, using a pair of X-rays to deduce the bone mineral content.
Results
The study results yielded the following data: in the case of women who had a regular habit of drinking tea, their hip BMD was slightly, but significantly higher than those women who did not drink it before. The researchers stated that this could be related to compounds present in tea called catechins, which may provide a boost to the cells responsible for bone reconstruction.
Additionally, benefits were also reported in women with obesity. Regarding coffee consumption, the results were mixed. Women who drank more than five cups of coffee a day were more likely to have lower BMD, which supports studies suggesting that caffeine has a negative impact on calcium absorption. Furthermore, they also found a relationship between lower femur BMD in women who consumed higher amounts of alcohol throughout their lives, as well as their preference for coffee, leading the researchers to claim that the effect of each substance on bone health may be greater when combined.
Study Reliability
Although the study included a sample of nearly 2,000 women, the truth is that the majority were white and American, so the results cannot be generalized. According to Flinders epidemiologist Enwu Liu:
“Our results do not mean that you should give up coffee or start drinking tea by the gallon. But they do suggest that moderate tea consumption could be a simple way to support bone health, and that very high coffee intake may 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 also play a role. For older women, enjoying a daily cup of tea may be more than a comforting ritual—it could be a small step toward stronger bones”.
Frequently asked questions
What benefit does tea have for the bones?
Tea contains catechins, compounds that could stimulate the cells responsible for rebuilding bone, achieving greater mineral density in the hip according to the study.
Why can coffee be a risk for osteoporosis?
Drinking more than five cups a day is associated with lower bone density, as excess caffeine can hinder calcium absorption, especially if combined with alcohol.