Study links excessive coffee intake to weaker bones in older women

A study has found that excessive coffee consumption is associated with lower bone mineral density in older women, while tea intake is linked to a slight increase in hip bone density.

Researchers from Flinders University in Australia reported that women who drank tea had slightly higher overall hip bone mineral density compared to those who did not, according to Sputnik.

Enwu Liu, a professor at the College of Medicine and Public Health, said that even small improvements in bone density could help reduce fracture rates when applied across a large population.

Drinking two to three cups of coffee a day was not associated with any clear harm to bone health. However, women who consumed more than five cups daily had lower bone mineral density, suggesting that excessive coffee intake may negatively affect skeletal health.

Tea contains catechins, compounds that may help promote bone formation and slow bone breakdown. In contrast, caffeine in coffee has been shown in some laboratory studies to affect calcium absorption and bone metabolism, although these effects appear limited and can be mitigated by drinking coffee with milk, according to the researchers.

The researchers concluded that regular tea consumption may help support bone health in older women, while moderate coffee intake appears safe for bones, but excessive consumption should be avoided.