A winter morning doesn't feel complete without sipping steaming hot tea. Many people choose tea or coffee upon waking up. Herbal teas work like medicine to keep the body warm. However, if you are 60 years old or above, which beverage is suitable for your body that won't damage your bones?
With advancing age, bone loss naturally occurs. Particularly women aged 60 or above are prone to osteoporosis. This can even lead to bone fractures.
Osteoporosis also weakens the spinal bones. This causes severe back pain. This disease leads to problems like bone deformity or hunched back. Osteoporosis mainly occurs due to calcium and vitamin D deficiency in the body. Women face more osteoporosis problems after menopause. So do you know which beverage to choose as you age?
A study was conducted on numerous women in November 2025. This research was published in a journal called 'Nutrients'. The main focus of this study was to examine whether tea or coffee has any relationship with bone loss in women. Women's bodies contain a hormone called estrogen. When the secretion of this hormone decreases after menopause, rapid bone loss occurs.
This osteoporosis fracture study, conducted by researchers from Flinders University in Australia, examined more than 9,000 women. The same women were tested for ten years.
The participants' daily tea and coffee consumption was monitored. The study also observed the effects of tea or coffee consumption on bone health. All the research subjects were women aged 65 or above.
The study found that women who regularly drink tea have slightly stronger hip bones. On the other hand, women who drink coffee five times a day showed a tendency toward somewhat weaker bone density.
The research shows that maintaining good bone health doesn't depend only on genetic factors, age, and hormonal influences. Daily dietary habits and lifestyle have significant effects.
The research clearly indicates that for women over 60, drinking tea is more beneficial than coffee. Tea helps strengthen bones. The antioxidants in tea (especially green tea and black tea) such as flavonoids and polyphenols protect bone cells from deterioration. Regular tea consumption can reduce inflammation in the body.
What is caffeine's effect on osteoporosis?
Coffee generally contains more caffeine than tea. One cup of coffee contains 95-200 milligrams of caffeine. On the other hand, one cup of tea contains 14-90 milligrams of caffeine. Therefore, excessive coffee consumption causes bone loss. Caffeine eliminates calcium from the body through urine, which is a major cause of bone loss. Caffeine also affects the effectiveness of vitamin D in the body.
How can women avoid osteoporosis problems?
Regular exercise is necessary. The daily diet should include foods rich in vitamin D and calcium. Alcohol consumption and smoking should be significantly reduced. As soon as osteoporosis is detected, medical advice should be sought immediately.
