Khaberni - A scientific study conducted in Australia has found that drinking tea helps in strengthening women's bones compared to women who prefer drinking coffee.
As part of the study published in the scientific journal Nutrients, a research team at Flinders University in Australia monitored the health of about 10,000 women over the course of ten years, measuring the changes that occur in the bone mineral density of the participants who drank tea or coffee.
Bone mineral density is one of the key biomarkers for measuring the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. Studies indicate that one in three women over the age of fifty suffers from osteoporosis, a disease that results in millions of fractures each year.
Given that millions of people make drinking tea and coffee a part of their daily routine, researchers see the need to understand the impact of such beverage consumption on bone health.
The researchers found that tea contains a compound called catechin, which helps slow down the rate of bone deterioration and contributes to bone formation. Meanwhile, laboratory tests have proven that coffee interferes with calcium absorption in the body and bone metabolism.
Dr. Eino Leo, a physician at the Flinders University School of Medicine and Public Health in Australia said, «Any improvement in bone density can translate into fewer bone fractures», adding in statements conveyed by the website «Health Day» specialized in medical research, that these results do not mean that women should completely stop drinking coffee or start drinking large amounts of tea.
He mentioned that alternating with one cup of tea daily for older women might be more than just a comforting daily habit, but could be a step towards achieving strong bones.
