Tea Drinking Linked to Higher Bone Density in Older Women

Drinking tea is associated with slightly higher hip bone density in older women, according to a ten-year study. Researchers from Flinders University found that moderate coffee consumption did not appear harmful. However, drinking more than five cups of coffee daily was linked to lower bone density.

The study, published in *Nutrients*, followed nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older. It examined the relationship between regular coffee and tea consumption and changes in bone mineral density (BMD). BMD is a key measure for assessing osteoporosis risk. Osteoporosis affects about one in three women over 50.

Participants regularly reported their beverage habits. Researchers monitored changes in their bone density at the hip and femoral neck. These areas are closely linked to fracture risk. Women who drank tea had slightly higher total hip BMD than non-tea drinkers. This difference was statistically significant.

Coffee showed a more complex pattern. Moderate intake, around two to three cups per day, did not harm bone health. Women who consumed more than five cups daily had lower BMD. This suggests that very high coffee intake could have negative effects. The relationship also varied with other health factors.

Women with higher lifetime alcohol consumption experienced stronger negative effects from coffee. The benefits of tea were more pronounced among women with obesity. Compounds called catechins, found in tea, may promote bone formation. Coffee's caffeine content can interfere with calcium absorption, though these effects are small.

These findings suggest that regular tea consumption could support bone health later in life. Moderate coffee drinking appears safe. Very high consumption might not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol. The observed differences were modest but statistically significant. They do not necessitate major changes in daily habits.