Tea vs Coffee and Bone Health: What Older Women Need to Know About Osteoporosis Risk

 According to a report by Russia’s RT, a long-term study spanning more than a decade and tracking thousands of older women has revealed a notable link between everyday beverages—tea and coffee—and bone health. The findings suggest that these common drinks may significantly influence bone mineral density and fracture risk. The study was published in the journal Nutrients.

The research indicates that for women aged 65 and older, regular tea consumption may help maintain relatively higher bone density, while excessive coffee intake could serve as a warning sign for bone loss. This discovery carries important implications for osteoporosis prevention. After all, one in three women over the age of 50 suffers from osteoporosis, leading to millions of fractures worldwide each year.

In the past, scientific opinions on the relationship between tea, coffee, and bone health have been mixed. This new study, however, stands out for its larger scale and longer follow-up period, involving nearly 10,000 female participants. Researchers focused on measuring bone density in the hip and femoral neck—two areas most prone to fractures in older adults—allowing them to establish a clearer connection between beverage habits and skeletal health.

Precise measurements showed that women who regularly drank tea had significantly higher bone density than those who did not. Although the difference was not dramatic, it was statistically meaningful. Researchers believe this benefit may come from naturally occurring catechins in tea. Laboratory studies have shown that these compounds can stimulate bone formation while slowing the accelerated bone breakdown associated with aging.

Coffee, on the other hand, presented a more complex picture. Moderate consumption—such as one cup every two to three days—did not appear to have a noticeable negative effect on bone health. However, when daily intake exceeded five cups, the risk to bone health increased. The situation became even more concerning when coffee was consumed alongside alcohol, as this combination appeared to amplify coffee’s negative impact on bones. Interestingly, the bone-protective effects of tea were especially pronounced among women with obesity, offering them additional skeletal benefits.

Experts suggest that coffee’s potential harm is likely linked to caffeine, which can interfere with calcium absorption and accelerate the loss of bone minerals. Tea’s unique compounds may help counteract this process. That said, researchers emphasize that the overall effect remains relatively limited and can be mitigated by adding milk to coffee or ensuring adequate calcium intake through daily diet.

The study offers two practical health takeaways for older women. First, consider turning daily tea drinking from a simple relaxation ritual into a long-term habit that supports bone health and helps slow age-related bone loss. Second, enjoy coffee in moderation, avoiding excessive intake and especially steering clear of combining coffee with alcohol.

Researchers stress that these findings do not call for quitting coffee entirely or consuming tea without limits. Instead, they provide guidance to help women make more informed beverage choices. Ultimately, sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D, balanced nutrition, and proper hydration remain the foundational pillars of long-term bone health.