Three cups of tea a day could help prevent osteoporosis

A daily intake of three cups of black tea could reduce the risk of bone fractures in older people by almost a third, according to new research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The nation’s favourite drink could be a potent new way to protect the body’s bones during the ageing process while reducing the risk of osteoporosis, a bone-weakening illness that affects around three million people in Britain.

Lead researcher of the study, Dr Jonathan Hodgson, said: “There is increasing interest in the role of dietary factors in osteoporosis and fractures. There is evidence that foods rich in flavonoids – fruits, vegetables and tea – may be related to bone loss and fracture outcomes.

“Flavonoids are a large group of phytochemicals widely distributed in plant foods and tea is the main source in many populations.

“We now have evidence that a higher intake of black tea and flavonoids is associated with a lower risk of fracture in older women.”

Researchers studied the tea-drinking habits of 1,200 women in their 70s over a ten-year period. Each participant was closely monitored to identify whether they suffered a major fracture due to osteoporosis.

During the study period 288 women fell and broke a bone, with nearly half involving a hip fracture.

The results showed that those who drank three or more cups of tea every day were 30 per cent less likely to have suffered a broken bone than those who drank less than one cup of tea a week.

Researchers have suggested that even one cup of tea a day appeared to cut the risk of a fracture by up to nine per cent.

Mr Hodgson added: “Our results support the hypothesis that tea and its flavonoids may be protective. Further research is needed before these results can be translated to dietary recommendations for osteoporosis prevention.

“But if the 30 per cent reduction in risk is confirmed, it would be a major addition to the dietary prevention of fracture.”

Osteoporosis progresses when osteoclasts – cells that break down old bone by removing the calcium and phosphorous that provides strength, outnumber osteoblasts – rival cells responsible for making healthy new bone. This dramatically increases the risk of fractures to major joints such as the hip.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) hip fractures are more common in women due to higher incidence of osteoporosis. One in every three women and one in twelve men are considered to develop the illness at some point in their lives.

In addition, approximately 75,000 hip fractures occur in the UK each year with an annual cost estimated at £2billion for medical and social care.

Previous research has suggested that women who use steroid drugs, smoke, drink heavily and have a family history of osteoporosis are most at risk.

Diet is another crucial risk factor as poor eating habits during childhood are thought to increase the dangers of the illness later in life. Commenting on the research, Sarah Leyland, senior nurse at the National Osteoporosis Society, said: “People are always keen to know how they can change their diet to improve their bone health.

“But the general health recommendations remain clear.

“The best way to maintain strong bones is to eat a varied, well balanced, calcium-rich diet with foods from all the main good groups, including plenty of fruit and vegetables.”