A 10-year study by Flinders University (Australia) on nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and over showed that the habit of drinking tea is slightly beneficial for bone health. People who drink tea every day have higher hip bone density than those who do not drink it. On the contrary, drinking coffee in moderation is not harmful, but drinking more than 5 cups a day is associated with lower bone density, especially in women who drink a lot of alcohol.
Coffee research results show a more obvious difference. Drink in moderation, about two to three cups per day, without harm. However, drinking more than five cups a day is associated with lower bone density, suggesting that too much coffee can negatively affect bone strength.
Women with a history of drinking a lot of alcohol seem to be particularly susceptible to negative effects from coffee, while tea shows more obvious benefits for obese women.
Ryan Liu, co-author of the study, explained that tea is rich in catechin, compounds that can promote bone formation and help slow osteoporosis.
"On the contrary, laboratory studies have shown that the caffeine content in coffee can interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism, although these effects are small and can be compensated by adding milk," said Ryan Liu from Flinders University (Australia).
Researchers say that catechin in tea can support bone formation, and small daily habits can make a lasting difference.
