A decade-long study involving nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older has found that coffee and tea consumption may have differing impacts on bone health. Conducted by researchers at Flinders University and published in the journal Nutrients, the study examined how these beverages influenced bone mineral density (BMD), a key indicator of bone strength and osteoporosis risk.

Participants’ coffee and tea intake was recorded regularly, with bone density measurements taken at the hip and femoral neck—common sites for fractures in older adults. The findings indicated that women who consumed tea had slightly higher hip bone density compared to those who did not drink tea. Although the increase was modest, it was statistically significant, suggesting a potentially beneficial effect of moderate tea consumption on bone health.

In contrast, coffee consumption showed a different pattern. Women drinking around two to three cups daily did not exhibit weaker bones. However, those consuming more than five cups per day had lower bone density, indicating that high coffee intake might negatively affect bone strength. The study authors noted that caffeine in coffee has been shown in laboratory settings to interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism, though these effects are generally small and can be mitigated by adding milk.

The research also highlighted the influence of other lifestyle factors. The negative association between high coffee consumption and bone health was more pronounced among women with a history of higher alcohol intake. Conversely, the potential bone health benefits of tea appeared stronger in women with obesity.

“Our results don’t mean you need to give up coffee or start drinking tea by the gallon,” said Associate Professor Enwu Liu, one of the study’s co-authors. “But they do suggest that moderate tea consumption could be one simple way to support bone health, and that very high coffee intake might not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol.”

These findings add to the growing body of research examining dietary factors in bone health among older adults, reinforcing the importance of moderate beverage consumption as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.