Tea drinking is associated with benefits on bone density in older women by Devine A, Hodgson JM
In a study involving a cross-sectional analysis of the relation
between tea intake and hip structure and a prospective analysis of
the relation between tea intake and hip structure over 4 years of
follow-up, results indicate that tea drinking (black tea and green
tea, but not herbal tea) exerts beneficial effects on bone
structure by reducing bone loss in elderly women.
In a cross-sectional analysis involving 1,027 women aged 70-85
years, usual tea intake was assessed by using a questionnaire, and
hip structure was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
(DXA) areal bone mineral density (aBMD). Total hip aBMD was 2.8%
greater in tea drinkers than in non-tea drinkers.
In a prospective analysis involving 164 elderly women, the relation
of tea intake at baseline with change in aBMD over a 4 year period
was assessed. After 4 years, tea drinkers showed an average loss of
1.6% of their total hip aBMD, compared to baseline, whereas non-tea
drinkers showed an average loss of 4.0% of their total aBMD,
compared to baseline.
Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Tea drinking is
associated with preservation of hip structure in elderly women.
This finding provides further evidence of the beneficial effects of
tea consumption on the skeleton."
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