Coffee weakens women’s bones…and tea is healthier

A long-term study conducted by researchers from Flinders University in Australia showed that drinking tea is associated with better bone health in post-menopausal women, unlike coffee, which did not show similar benefits when consumed in excess.

The study followed about 10,000 women aged 65 and over over a period of ten years, measuring bone mineral density in the hip and thigh. It turns out that women who regularly drink tea have higher bone density than others, while coffee has no clear positive effects. Rather, excessive consumption (more than five cups a day) is associated with lower bone density.

Researchers confirmed that osteoporosis poses a major risk, especially for women after menopause, as it affects one in three women over the age of fifty, and is associated with high rates of fractures and deaths. It is estimated that the disease is affected by several factors, most notably calcium and vitamin D deficiency and lack of physical activity.

The researchers explained the benefit of tea by containing antioxidant compounds such as catechins, which support bone formation and limit bone breakdown, while the caffeine in coffee may affect calcium absorption, although this is less harmful with moderate consumption.

The study concluded that drinking tea in moderation may be an option that supports the bone health of older women, emphasizing that actual prevention of osteoporosis remains primarily linked to a healthy lifestyle that includes movement, proper nutrition, obtaining calcium and vitamin D, and abstaining from smoking.