New research shows that daily cups of coffee and tea relate differently to bone mineral density in older women, according to a 10-year study published in the journal Nutrients. Researchers at Flinders University tracked nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older using data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures to examine how regular consumption of these popular beverages impacts osteoporosis risk.
Ten-Year Flinders University Study Tracks Beverage Habits and Bone Mineral Density
Osteoporosis affects roughly one in three women over the age of 50 and causes millions of fractures every year worldwide. To better understand how common dietary factors influence this condition, researchers tracked participants for a decade, according to findings published in Nutrients. The team repeatedly assessed beverage consumption while measuring bone mineral density at the hip and femoral neck using advanced imaging methods.
While previous research yielded mixed findings due to shorter observation periods, this long-term analysis captured subtle shifts in skeletal health across a large cohort. Funding for the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures came from the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, utilizing grants AG05407, AR35582, AG05394, AR35584, and AR35583.
Tea Drinkers Show Slightly Higher Hip Bone Density
Women who regularly drank tea exhibited a slightly higher total hip bone mineral density compared to non-tea drinkers, according to the Flinders University study. Although the measured difference was small, researchers noted it is statistically significant and carries weight when evaluated across large populations.
“Even small improvements in bone density can translate into fewer fractures across large groups,” says Adjunct Associate Professor Enwu Liu from the College of Medicine and Public Health.
Did you know? Tea contains abundant plant compounds called catechins, which co-author Ryan Liu notes may help promote bone formation and slow down bone breakdown.
Heavy Coffee Consumption Linked to Lower Bone Mineral Density
Coffee displayed a more complex relationship with skeletal health over the 10-year tracking period. Moderate coffee intake of roughly two to three cups per day showed no association with harm. However, women drinking more than five cups daily demonstrated lower bone mineral density.
Lifestyle factors also altered these outcomes. According to the research team, women with higher lifetime alcohol consumption experienced stronger negative effects associated with heavy coffee intake. Conversely, the apparent benefits of tea appeared more pronounced among women with obesity.
“Coffee’s caffeine content, by contrast, has been shown in laboratory studies to interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism, though these effects are small and can be offset by adding milk,” says Ryan Liu from Flinders University.
Practical Takeaways for Daily Diets
Study authors emphasize that the observed differences are modest and do not warrant dramatic lifestyle overhauls. Calcium and vitamin D remain the established cornerstones of skeletal health.
“Our results don’t mean you need to give up coffee or start drinking tea by the gallon,” says Associate Professor Liu. “But they do suggest that moderate tea consumption could be one simple way to support bone health, and that very high coffee intake might not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does moderate coffee drinking damage bones?
A: No. Moderate intake of two to three cups per day showed no adverse relationship with bone mineral density in the Flinders University study.
Q: How does tea benefit bone health?
A: Researchers found that tea drinkers had slightly higher total hip bone density, likely aided by catechins that promote bone formation and slow breakdown.
Q: How many people participated in the study?
A: The research tracked nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older over a 10-year period.
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