Researchers at Flinders University have found new evidence that coffee and tea may have different relationships with bone health in older women. Published in Nutrients, the study tracked nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older for 10 years. The researchers examined whether regular coffee and tea consumption was associated with changes in bone mineral density (BMD), an important measure used to assess osteoporosis risk.
Osteoporosis is a major health problem worldwide. It affects roughly one in three women over age 50 and is responsible for millions of fractures each year. Because billions of people drink coffee or tea every day, even small effects on bone health could have broad implications.
Previous research on the subject has produced mixed findings, and relatively few studies have followed participants for such a long period. The Flinders University researchers used data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. They repeatedly assessed participants' beverage habits and measured BMD at both the hip and femoral neck, two areas closely linked to fracture risk.
During the 10-year study period, the women regularly reported how much coffee and tea they drank. Researchers also used advanced imaging methods to monitor changes in their bone density. The results showed that women who drank tea had slightly higher total hip BMD than those who did not drink tea.
The difference was small, but it was statistically significant and could still matter when considered 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. Heavy Coffee Intake Linked to Lower Bone Density Coffee showed a more complicated pattern.
Drinking moderate amounts, about two to three cups per day, was not associated with harm to bone health. However, women who drank more than five cups a day had lower BMD, suggesting that very high coffee consumption could have negative effects. The relationship also appeared to differ depending on other health and lifestyle factors.
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