A study by Australian scientists from Flinders University has drawn attention to habits that many consider harmless. Nearly 10 thousand women over the age of 65 were observed for ten years, tracking the link between coffee and tea consumption and bone density.
The results were mixed. Moderate coffee consumption—about two to three cups a day—showed no negative effect on bones. However, more than five cups daily was associated with lower bone mineral density.
Tea, on the other hand, demonstrated a small but statistically significant advantage. Women who drank it had slightly higher bone density in the hip area. The difference is small, but on a population scale it may matter.
The researchers attribute the difference to the composition of the beverages. Tea contains catechins, which, according to laboratory data, promote bone formation and slow its breakdown. Caffeine in large amounts may interfere with calcium absorption, although the effect is usually small and can be offset by adding milk.
Associate Professor Enu Lew of Flinders University noted that even small improvements in bone density could reduce the number of fractures in large populations. The work was published in the journal Nutrients.
What does this mean for those who love strong coffee in the morning? Moderation, it seems, remains key.
