Moderate Tea Consumption Tied to Higher Bone Mineral Density in Chinese Adults, Study Finds

Moderate tea consumption was associated with more favorable bone mineral density measures in Chinese adults over 13 years, according to a study published online on Aug. 16 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study included 2,133 participants from China who underwent DXA scans at four visits. Researchers assessed bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) at the whole body, total hip, lumbar spine and femoral neck.

According to the report, moderate-frequency tea drinkers had significantly higher adjusted BMD Z-scores at the lumbar spine and femoral neck compared with other tea-consumption groups. The report also stated that higher circulating levels of tea-derived flavan-3-ols, particularly epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were associated with favorable bone mineral measures.

Study Design and Methods

Researchers drew participants from the Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study, following 1,708 middle-aged and older adults for up to 13 years, according to the study. Participants underwent DXA scans at four separate visits, and the analysis included whole-body, total hip, lumbar spine, and femoral neck measurements.

Tea consumption was categorized into non-, low-, moderate-, and high-frequency groups, the authors stated. Blood samples were analyzed for five flavan-3-ols: epicatechin (EC), EGCG, ECG, epigallocatechin (EGC), and catechin. Flavan-3-ols belong to the flavonoid family, a group of phytonutrients known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties ^[1]. Earlier observational research has also associated tea consumption with bone health ^[2].

Findings

The authors stated that participants reporting moderate tea drinking frequency generally had the most favorable BMD measures, including at the whole body, lumbar spine, and femoral neck. Moderate-frequency drinkers had significantly higher adjusted BMD Z-scores at the lumbar spine and femoral neck compared with the other tea-consumption groups, according to the report.

The relationship was not linear, and the researchers did not establish an optimal amount of tea to drink, the report stated. Higher intake did not consistently correspond to better bone measures. The findings align with prior research: a Scottish population study reported th