Tea May Support Bone Density in Older Women, While Heavy Coffee Intake Shows Risks
A decade-long study of nearly 10,000 US women over 65 suggests that regular tea consumption is associated with higher hip bone mineral density, while drinking more than five cups of coffee daily correlates with lower density. The findings, published in Nutrients, highlight that moderate coffee intake does not appear harmful, but very high consumption may negatively impact bone health, particularly when combined with alcohol use. Researchers emphasize that these are associations, not causal links, and that calcium, vitamin D, and physical activity remain the primary pillars of bone health. Tea catechins may support bone-building cells, whereas excessive caffeine might interfere with calcium absorption. The study, conducted by Flinders University researchers, notes that the benefits of tea were more pronounced in women with obesity. While the results do not mandate drastic lifestyle changes, they suggest that moderate tea consumption could be a simple, low-risk strategy for supporting bone density in postmenopausal women.
