Your daily coffee habit could be taking a toll on your bones, new study suggests

Key Points:

• A Flinders University study published in Nutrients found that high coffee consumption (more than five cups daily) may be linked to lower bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women aged 65 and older, while tea consumption was associated with higher hip BMD.
• The research analyzed data from 9,704 women over 10 years, noting that moderate coffee intake (two to three cups daily) did not negatively affect bone health, and that coffee's impact on BMD was worse among women with higher alcohol intake.
• Tea's positive association with bone density was stronger in women with obesity, possibly due to catechins in tea promoting bone formation, whereas coffee's caffeine may interfere with calcium absorption, though effects can be mitigated by adding milk.
• Experts caution that the study shows associations rather than causation and emphasize that maintaining bone health primarily involves adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, physical activity, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, rather than changing coffee or tea habits.
• Symptoms of osteoporosis include back pain, height loss, and stooped posture, but moderate coffee consumption is generally considered safe for bone health, with excessive intake potentially posing risks especially for women who consume alcohol.