A recent Australian study has found a potential link between very high coffee consumption and lower bone mineral density among older women, while regular tea consumption was associated with a small increase in hip bone density.
The findings highlight the importance of moderation rather than eliminating coffee altogether, particularly as women age and become more vulnerable to osteoporosis and related fractures.
Researchers from Flinders University followed nearly 10,000 women aged over 65 for 10 years to examine whether coffee and tea consumption was associated with changes in bone mineral density, an important indicator of osteoporosis risk.
Osteoporosis is a major global health concern, affecting approximately one in three women over the age of 50 and contributing to millions of fractures every year.
The study found several differences between coffee and tea consumption. Women who regularly consumed tea had slightly higher total hip bone mineral density than those who did not drink tea, although the difference was small.
At the same time, moderate coffee consumption did not appear to have a clear negative effect on bone health. Women consuming around two to three cups of coffee a day showed no significant evidence of reduced bone density.
The researchers, however, observed lower bone mineral density among women who consumed more than five cups of coffee daily, suggesting that very high caffeine intake may be associated with poorer bone health in older women.
The relationship also varied according to other health and lifestyle factors. The potential negative association between high coffee consumption and bone density was more noticeable among women with higher lifetime alcohol consumption. Meanwhile, the positive association between tea consumption and bone density appeared more pronounced among women living with obesity.
According to researcher Ryan Liu, catechins, naturally occurring compounds found abundantly in tea, may help support bone formation and slow bone breakdown. Caffeine, meanwhile, may interfere with calcium absorption and aspects of bone metabolism, according to findings from previous laboratory research.
These effects appear to be limited, and adding milk to coffee may help offset some of the potential impact by providing an additional source of calcium.
The findings do not suggest that women should avoid coffee altogether. Instead, they point to moderation as a more practical approach, with very high consumption potentially carrying greater concerns for bone health as women grow older.
Liu also emphasized the importance of calcium and vitamin D in maintaining strong bones. Daily beverages may play a supporting role, but they should not replace a balanced diet, regular physical activity or appropriate medical care.
For women concerned about bone health, maintaining a balanced lifestyle remains essential. Moderate coffee consumption, alongside adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, physical activity and regular medical follow-up when needed, can form part of a broader approach to protecting bone health with age.
The key message is not that coffee is an enemy of healthy bones, but that excessive consumption may be worth reconsidering, particularly among older women with other risk factors for bone loss.
