Researchers at Flinders University have found new evidence that coffee and tea may have different relationships with bone health in older women.
Published in Nutrients, the study tracked nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older for 10 years. The researchers examined whether regular coffee and tea consumption was associated with changes in bone mineral density (BMD), an important measure used to assess osteoporosis risk.
Osteoporosis is a major health problem worldwide. It affects roughly one in three women over age 50 and is responsible for millions of fractures each year. Because billions of people drink coffee or tea every day, even small effects on bone health could have broad implications. Previous research on the subject has produced mixed findings, and relatively few studies have followed participants for such a long period.
Tracking Coffee, Tea, and Bone Density
The Flinders University researchers used data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. They repeatedly assessed participants' beverage habits and measured BMD at both the hip and femoral neck, two areas closely linked to fracture risk.
