Study Links High Coffee Consumption to Weaker Bones
A 10-year Australian study of over 9,700 elderly women found that consuming more than 5 cups of coffee daily correlated with reduced bone density, while moderate intake of 2-3 cups showed no negative effects. Researchers suggest tea may bet
A new study tracking over 9,700 elderly women over 10 years found that excessive coffee consumption may be linked to reduced bone density. Coffee drinkers who consume multiple cups daily from morning to evening may want to reconsider their intake. Research from Flinders University in Australia showed that elderly women drinking more than 5 cups of coffee per day had a correlation with lower bone mineral density. However, good news for moderate drinkers: consuming around 2-3 cups daily showed no link to negative bone health effects.
The study, published in the journal Nutrients, analyzed coffee and tea consumption patterns in 9,704 women aged 65 and older over a 10-year period, while measuring bone mineral density in the hip, neck, and femur—areas commonly affected by osteoporotic fractures.
Results showed that consuming more than 5 cups of coffee daily correlated with reduced bone mineral density, while tea consumption correlated with higher overall hip bone density. Among women who consumed significant alcohol, coffee showed a stronger correlation with decreased femur bone density. Tea's positive association with bone health was more pronounced in women with obesity.
Ryan Liu, one of the researchers, explained that catechins found in tea may promote bone formation and slow bone breakdown, while caffeine in coffee may interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism. However, these effects are small and can be offset by adding milk to coffee.
Liu emphasized that the findings do not mean everyone should quit coffee and switch to tea in large quantities, but suggest that moderate tea consumption may be one simple way to support bone health, while high coffee intake may not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol.
Women face higher risk of bone loss because they typically have less bone mass and lose bone more rapidly after menopause. Lisa Young, a registered dietitian and adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University, cautioned that results should be interpreted carefully. The study only observed participants' existing behavior and did not assign specific coffee or tea amounts to individuals, showing only a "correlation" rather than proving causation.
Osteoporosis is a significant global health concern. Research data indicates that roughly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men aged 50 and older have experienced fractures related to the disease. Women are at particular risk because they typically have lower bone mass and experience faster bone loss after menopause.
Experts emphasized that coffee lovers need not rush to abandon their cups, as moderate consumption showed no negative bone health effects in this study. What remains well-established is the importance of adequate calcium and vitamin D intake.
