Tea May Support Bone Health in Older Women

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Tea consumption was linked to slightly higher hip bone density in postmenopausal women, according to research published in Nutrients.

“Even small improvements in bone density can translate into fewer fractures across large groups,” said lead investigator Enwu Liu, Ph.D., an adjunct associate professor from the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University, in Australia.

Bone health becomes a major concern for women after menopause, when the risk of osteoporosis and fractures increases. Coffee and tea are among the most commonly consumed beverages worldwide, yet their long-term effects on bone mineral density in older women have remained unclear. Previous studies often relied on single measurements of diet or bone density, limiting conclusions.

This study aimed to better understand how coffee and tea consumption over time relate to bone health in postmenopausal women.

Investigators analyzed data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF), a large, long-running study of 9,704 women aged 65 and older. Participants reported their coffee and tea intake multiple times over a 10-year period using questionnaires. Bone mineral density at the hip and femoral neck — areas especially vulnerable to fracture — was measured repeatedly using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. The analysis accounted for many factors that influence bone health, including age, physical activity, body weight, medical conditions, alcohol use and medications.

What the Researchers Found About Tea

Over the decade of follow-up, women who drank tea had slightly higher total hip bone mineral density than those who did not. While the difference was modest, it was statistically meaningful and consistent over time. The findings suggest that regular tea consumption may help support bone health in older women. The benefit appeared to be especially noticeable among women with higher body mass index, suggesting tea may be particularly helpful for women with obesity.

What the Researchers Found About Coffee

Overall, moderate coffee consumption was not linked to significant changes in bone mineral density. However, when researchers looked more closely at very high intake, they found that drinking more than five cups of coffee per day may be associated with lower bone density.

“Coffee’s caffeine content has been shown in laboratory studies to interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism,” explained co-author Ryan Liu, a researcher and medical student from Flinders University.

Additionally, coffee appeared to have a more negative effect on femoral neck bone density in women who also consumed higher amounts of alcohol, highlighting a potential combined risk.

The team mentioned the study relied on self-reported beverage intake, which can be imperfect. Because this was an observational study, it cannot prove that tea directly improves bone density or that coffee causes bone loss. Still, the long follow-up and repeated measurements strengthen confidence in the findings.

“Our results don’t mean you need to give up coffee or start drinking tea by the gallon,” says associate professor Liu. “But they do suggest that moderate tea consumption could be one simple way to support bone health, and that very high coffee intake might not be ideal, especially for women who drink alcohol. While calcium and vitamin D remain cornerstones of bone health, what’s in your cup could play a role too. For older women, enjoying a daily cup of tea may be more than a comforting ritual, it could be a small step toward stronger bones.”