Study: Excessive caffeine consumption may weaken bones in older women

Osteoporosis continues to be a major health problem, affecting approximately one in three women over 50 years of age and causing millions of fractures worldwide each year. Because coffee and tea are some of the most popular beverages, understanding their possible effects on bone health is especially important. Previous evidence on this topic has been inconsistent, and long-term studies have been lacking. To fill this gap, the Flinders University team used data from a large study of osteoporotic fractures. The analysis included repeated assessments of beverage consumption, as well as measurements of bone mineral density at the femur and femoral neck, the areas most closely associated with fracture risk.

Throughout the follow-up period, the participants regularly reported how much coffee and tea they drank, and the scientists used advanced imaging techniques to track how their bone density changed over time. The results showed that tea drinkers had slightly higher bone mineral density in the hip area than those who did not drink tea. The difference was small, but statistically significant and potentially significant for the health of the population as a whole.

The situation with coffee was less clear. Moderate consumption of it – about two to three cups per day – generally did not negatively affect the condition of the bones. However, when consuming more than five cups per day, a decrease in bone mineral density was observed, indicating possible harm if consumed in excess. It also found that women with higher alcohol consumption had a stronger negative effect of coffee on bones, while tea, on the contrary, had a particularly beneficial effect in obese women.