Research reveals that coffee and tea impact bone health differently for older women. A study from Flinders University tracked nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older for ten years to explore how these beverages relate to bone mineral density (BMD), a key indicator of osteoporosis risk. Osteoporosis affects many older women, making this research significant for public health.
• Women who drank tea showed slightly higher hip BMD than those who did not, suggesting tea may benefit bone health.
• Moderate coffee consumption (2-3 cups daily) did not harm bone density, but over five cups linked to lower BMD.
• The effects of coffee varied with lifestyle factors, particularly alcohol consumption.
• Tea's catechins may help bone formation, while coffee's caffeine could hinder calcium absorption.
Understanding the relationship between these drinks and bone health is vital, especially given the global prevalence of osteoporosis. While calcium and vitamin D are essential, incorporating moderate tea consumption might be an easy way for older women to support their bone health.
Enjoying the read? Subscribe for free to one of the fastest-growing newsletters and get weekly coffee news (TL;DR updates) delivered right to your inbox.