Tea, Coffee, and Bone Health: What a Decade-Long Study Reveals

A long-term study by Flinders University has explored how tea and coffee consumption may influence bone health in older women. Published in Nutrients, the research followed nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and above over ten years, tracking their beverage habits and changes in bone mineral density (BMD), a key indicator of osteoporosis risk.

The findings suggest that tea drinkers had slightly higher hip BMD compared with those who did not consume tea. While the increase was modest, researchers note it could be meaningful at a population level by potentially lowering fracture rates. Coffee showed a more nuanced relationship: drinking two to three cups daily was not associated with bone loss, but consuming more than five cups a day was linked to reduced BMD. This negative effect was more pronounced in women with higher alcohol intake.

Scientists attribute tea’s benefits to catechins that may support bone formation, while excessive caffeine may hinder calcium absorption. Overall, a daily cup of tea could offer a small but helpful boost to bone health.

13-12-2025