Coffee Or Tea: What’s Better For Your Bones?

30 seconds

How does coffee and tea intake relate to bone mineral density (BMD), a key measure of osteoporosis risk? A 10-year study from Flinders University in Australia followed nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older to find answers. Researchers found that tea drinkers had slightly higher hip BMD than non-drinkers — a modest but statistically significant benefit that could reduce fracture risk at the population level.

Coffee showed mixed effects. Moderate consumption (2 to 3 cups per day) was not linked to bone loss, but high intake (more than 5 cups daily) was associated with lower BMD, particularly among women with higher lifetime alcohol consumption. Tea’s benefits were more pronounced in women with obesity, possibly due to catechins, plant compounds that may support bone formation.

Overall, the findings suggest that regular tea consumption may modestly support bone health in older women, while very high coffee intake may be less favorable, especially when combined with alcohol.