In Denmark, many adults drink several cups of coffee or tea each day.
These beverages are often associated with habits, taste preferences, and social breaks rather than bone health.
Dietary guidelines primarily highlight calcium, vitamin D, and physical activity as important for strong bones, while coffee and tea are rarely mentioned in that context.
According to researchers, however, it may be relevant to take a closer look at these beverages, as they are such a regular part of everyday life.
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Small differences in habits can matter over time, especially in a population group with an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Over 10,000 women
Researchers from Flinders University based their findings on a large study of nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older.
The study, published in the journal Nutrients, followed the participants for ten years.
The women regularly reported how much coffee and tea they drank.
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At the same time, their bone mineral density was measured at the hip and femoral neck, areas where fractures can have serious consequences.
According to the researchers, the combination of a large number of participants and long-term follow-up makes the study particularly robust.
Tea versus coffee
The study shows that women who drank one cup of tea had, on average, slightly higher bone density than women who did not.
According to the researchers, the difference was small but consistent.
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Moderate coffee consumption of two to three cups a day was not associated with problems, while very high consumption of more than five cups daily was linked to lower bone density.
The effect was strongest among women with high alcohol consumption.
The researchers emphasize that the results do not mean people should significantly change their habits.
The study also cannot prove that coffee or tea directly affect bone health.
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Rather, it suggests that everyday habits may play a minor role alongside the well-known factors that influence bone health.
Sources: Science Daily, and Nutrients.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.