Flinders University study links tea consumption to higher bone density in older women

A study conducted by researchers at Flinders University in Australia suggests that the choice between tea and coffee may influence bone health in older women. Published in the journal Nutrients, the research analyzed data from approximately 9,700 women aged 65 and older over a 10-year period as part of the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.

The findings indicated that women who regularly consumed tea exhibited slightly higher hip bone mineral density (BMD) compared to non-consumers. Researchers suggest that compounds in tea, specifically catechins, may assist in the formation and maintenance of bone tissue. This beneficial effect was noted to be particularly significant in women with obesity.

In contrast, the relationship between coffee consumption and bone density was more complex. The study found that women drinking more than five cups of coffee per day were more likely to have lower BMD, which aligns with existing research suggesting caffeine can negatively impact calcium absorption. Epidemiologist Enwu Liu noted that even small improvements in bone density can lead to a reduction in fractures across large populations.