You might already enjoy this as part of your morning routine. Here's why researchers say it's "one simple way" to boost your bone density.
Especially on a chilly morning, sipping on a warm beverage can make the day ahead seem just a bit more doable. For the coffee enthusiasts out there, past research suggests a cup of joe could offer numerous healthy aging benefits. But if you tend to prefer a different type of brew, there’s good news on that front, too.
According to a December 2025 study published in the journal Nutrients and conducted by a team of public health researchers from Australia’s Flinders University, a daily cup of tea may do more than offer a much needed moment of calm—it could also give aging bones a modest boost. The study’s results showed older women who regularly drink tea may have slightly stronger bones than those who don’t, suggesting that small, consistent habits may add up over time.
The decade-long study followed nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and up, tracking their coffee and tea consumption alongside changes in bone mineral density, a crucial measure of osteoporosis risk. U.S. health experts report that osteoporosis affects roughly one out of every four women age 65 and older, and is a leading cause of fractures, so even subtle shifts in bone strength can have meaningful implications.
Tea drinkers in the study showed slightly higher bone density at the hip—a critical site for fractures—compared with non-tea drinkers. While the difference was modest, researchers note that across large populations, small improvements in bone mineral density can translate into fewer broken bones and better mobility later in life. This is important because, as noted by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 684,000 people worldwide die from falls every year.
Coffee’s impact was more nuanced, the researchers note. Moderate intake, about two to three cups per day, was not linked to bone loss. However, women who drank more than five cups daily had lower bone density, particularly those who also consumed higher amounts of alcohol.
In a Flinders University news release, one of the study’s authors noted that the caffeine content in coffee “has been shown in laboratory studies to interfere with calcium absorption and bone metabolism, though these effects are small and can be offset by adding milk.”
Scientists believe tea’s potential bone-protective effect may come from catechins, natural plant compounds that can support bone formation and help slow age-related bone loss. Drinking tea appeared especially beneficial for women with obesity.
“Our results don’t mean you need to give up coffee or start drinking tea by the gallon,” says co-author Enwu Liu, PhD, an associate professor at Flinders University. “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.”
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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