Daily choices between tea and coffee could have long-term consequences for bone health in older women, according to a new analysis of dietary habits and osteoporosis risk. Researchers say modest benefits from tea and potential harms from heavy coffee intake may add up when considered across large populations.
The study, published in Nutrients in 2025, examined long-term tea and coffee consumption and bone mineral density in older women. The findings contribute to a growing body of research exploring how common beverages may fit into the wider pattern of lifestyle factors affecting bone health.
Osteoporosis affects around one in three women over 50 as the body gradually loses more bone than it rebuilds. With declining estrogen after menopause, bones become thinner and more fragile, increasing the risk of fractures that can be difficult to heal and severely affect independence.
New findings on tea and bone density
Public health researchers from Flinders University in Australia examined data from about 9,700 women in the United States, all over the age of 65. As part of a long-running osteoporosis study, participants reported their tea and coffee habits in four surveys conducted over roughly 10 years.
The researchers measured bone mineral density, or BMD, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of the hip and the narrow neck of the femur. These scans estimate the mineral content of bone, an important indicator of fracture risk and overall skeletal strength.
Women who regularly drank tea showed slightly but significantly higher hip BMD compared with those who rarely or never consumed it. The researchers suggest that tea catechins, a group of plant antioxidants, may support the activity of bone-forming cells and help reduce the rate of bone loss.
Although the average improvements in BMD were modest, lead epidemiologist Enwu Liu noted that even small gains could translate into fewer hip fractures when considered across large populations of older adults. Hip fractures are among the most serious injuries in later life, often resulting in disability and lengthy hospital stays.
The positive association between tea consumption and hip BMD appeared particularly strong among women with obesity. This suggests that compounds in tea might help counter some of the bone-related stresses associated with higher body weight, although the precise mechanisms remain under investigation.
Mixed picture for heavy coffee drinkers
In contrast, coffee consumption showed a more complex association with bone health. Women who reported drinking more than five cups of coffee per day were more likely to have lower bone mineral density. The finding aligns with earlier research suggesting that high caffeine intake can interfere with calcium absorption.
The study also identified a concerning interaction between coffee and alcohol. Among women with higher lifetime alcohol consumption, any level of coffee drinking was associated with reduced femur BMD. Researchers say this suggests that the combined effects of caffeine and alcohol may amplify stress on bone tissue.
While the findings point to potential risks from very high coffee consumption, the study did not find strong evidence that light or moderate coffee drinking alone significantly harms bone density in most women. Experts caution, however, that other risk factors such as low calcium intake, smoking and physical inactivity can compound the impact.
Current guidelines generally advise older adults to keep total caffeine intake below about 400 milligrams per day, roughly equivalent to four standard cups of brewed coffee. Within those limits, maintaining adequate calcium and vitamin D may help offset some of caffeine’s effects on bone metabolism.
Limitations and practical takeaways
The Flinders University team emphasized that most participants were White women, meaning the findings may not fully apply to women from other ethnic backgrounds or to men. Genetic differences, body composition and cultural drinking patterns can all influence how beverages affect bone health.
In addition, beverage consumption was self-reported, introducing the possibility of recall errors. The study was observational rather than experimental, meaning it can identify associations but cannot establish that tea or coffee directly caused changes in bone density.
Liu stressed that the findings should not be interpreted as a recommendation to abandon coffee or dramatically increase tea consumption. Instead, the research adds nuance to broader lifestyle advice that already emphasizes sufficient calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise and avoiding smoking to support stronger bones.
For older women already at risk of osteoporosis, the emerging evidence suggests that a moderate daily cup or two of tea may offer a small but meaningful benefit. At the same time, consistently consuming more than five cups of coffee per day, particularly alongside heavy alcohol use, may warrant reconsideration with a doctor or dietitian.
Researchers say future trials will need to clarify how different types of tea and coffee, preparation methods and genetic factors shape individual risk. As populations age worldwide and hip fractures increase, even modest, low-cost strategies such as adjusting everyday beverage choices could potentially help reduce the burden of osteoporosis.
For many women, what goes into the daily teacup or coffee mug may quietly influence bone strength over decades.
