A new study suggests that the daily choice between tea and coffee could have a significant impact on bone health in older women.
Researchers from Flinders University in Australia analyzed data from nearly 9,700 U.S. women over age 65, tracking their tea and coffee habits over a decade. The findings: women who regularly drank tea had slightly but significantly higher bone mineral density in the hip compared to non-tea drinkers.
Compounds in tea called catechins may help stimulate bone-building cells. The benefit was especially pronounced in women with obesity.
Coffee drinkers, however, faced mixed results. Those consuming more than five cups per day had lower bone density, likely because caffeine can interfere with calcium absorption. Additionally, coffee combined with high alcohol intake appeared to further reduce femur bone density.
While the study's authors emphasize moderation, they suggest that swapping a cup of coffee for tea could be a simple step toward stronger bones in later life.