Few older women would turn down a comforting cup of tea or coffee. But over time, the daily choice between the two may have meaningful effects on bone health, according to new research.
Osteoporosis is a major health concern for women over age 50. About one in three women will develop the condition, which occurs when the body breaks down bone faster than it can rebuild it. The result is weaker, more brittle bones that fracture more easily and heal more slowly.
Women face a higher risk after menopause because estrogen, a hormone essential for bone metabolism, declines sharply. Surgical removal of the ovaries can have a similar effect.
How tea and coffee were studied
Researchers from Flinders University in Australia analyzed tea and coffee consumption in approximately 9,700 U.S. women aged 65 and older as part of a long-term osteoporosis study. Participants reported their beverage habits through surveys completed on four occasions over roughly 10 years.
Bone health was assessed by measuring bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and the narrow section of the femur that connects to the hip. These measurements were taken using a specialized dual X-ray technique that estimates mineral content in bone.
Tea linked to stronger bones
