What drink helps strengthen bones the most?

A new study from Flinders University in Australia offers insights into how two of the world’s most popular beverages, coffee and tea, may influence bone health in older women.

The research, published in the journal Nutrientsfollowed almost 10,000 women of 65 years or more for a decade to explore whether their daily coffee or tea drinking habits were related to changes in bone mineral density (BMD), a key indicator of osteoporosis risk.

Osteoporosis is a major global health problem that affects one of every three women older than 50 years and contributes to millions of fractures each year. Since billions of people around the world consume coffee and tea daily, understanding their impact on bone health is crucial. So far, the evidence has been mixed, and few studies have looked at these relationships over such a long period of time.

The Flinders University team analyzed data from Study of Osteoporotic Fracturesusing repeated measures of both beverage intake and BMD in the hip and femoral neck, areas strongly associated with fracture risk.

For ten years, participants reported their coffee and tea consumption, while researchers They measured bone density using advanced imaging techniques.

The study revealed that those who drank tea had slightly higher total hip bone mineral density than those who did not. Although the difference was modest, it was statistically significant and could have significant implications at the population level.

“Even small improvements in bone density can translate into fewer fractures in large groups,” says Associate Associate Professor Enwu Liu from the Faculty of Medicine and Public Health.

Coffee, on the other hand, revealed a more complex story. Overall, moderate coffee consumption, two to three cups a day, did not appear to harm bone health. However, drinking more than five cups a day was associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD), suggesting that excessive consumption could be harmful.

Interestingly, women with a increased alcohol consumption Throughout their lives they experienced more negative effects of coffee, while tea appeared to be especially beneficial for women with obesity.

Ryan Liuco-author of the article, says that compounds called catechins, abundant in tea, can promote bone formation and slow their breakdown.

“In contrast, the caffeine content of coffee has been shown in laboratory studies to interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism, although these effects are small and can be offset by adding milk,” he says. Ryan Liu from Flinders University.

The Associate Adjunct Professor Enwu Liu He adds that the findings suggest that enjoying a cup of tea each day could be a simple way to support bone health as we age. “While moderate coffee consumption seems safe, very high coffee consumption may not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol,” she says.

The authors caution that the observed differences, although statistically significant, are not large enough to justify drastic changes for individuals. “Our results do not mean that we should give up coffee or start drinking tea in large quantities”says Associate Professor Liu.

“But they do suggest that moderate tea consumption may be a simple way to support bone health, and that very high coffee consumption may not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol. While calcium and vitamin D are still essential for bone health, the contents of the cup could also play a role. For older women, enjoying a cup of tea daily can be more than a comforting ritual; It could be a small step towards stronger bones, he concludes.