As both men and women age, the risk of developing osteoporosis increases. With as many as 44 million Americans having lower than normal bone density, according to 2002 statistics from the National Osteoporosis Foundation, understanding common risk factors that impact bone health is crucial. Caffeine, when taken in large quantities, may decrease calcium absorption and increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Types
Caffeine is found in a number of food products including coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate and energy drinks. Coffee is the most commonly consumed breakfast item in America, while soft drinks are the largest source of caffeine for both children and young adults; however, according to 2011 information from Clemson University Extension, coffee consumption has dropped over the last 50 years from 16 gallons a year per person to 9 gallons per year per person.
Amounts
The average American consumes about 200 mg of caffeine per day, with children consuming about 25 percent of that amount, Clemson University Extension reports, an amount equivalent to between 2 and 2.5 cups of coffee, depending on how it's made. An analysis of data from the Framingham Study published in the October 1990 "American Journal of Epidemiology" found that drinking less than two cups of coffee per day or four cups of tea did not increase the risk of hip fracture in over 3,000 participants. Overall, a cup of coffee decreases the amount of calcium absorption by about 6 mg, an amount that can easily be replaced by adding a tablespoon of milk to your drink. Ingesting more than 330 mg of caffeine per day may increase the risk of fractures, the National Osteoporosis Foundation states.
Evidence
An article published by researchers from Creighton University in the September 2002 issue of "Food and Chemical Toxicology" examined the connection between caffeine and low bone density. A review of current research indicated that caffeine has only a small negative effect on bone density. This effect can be offset by daily ingestion of adequate amounts of calcium.
Significance
The American population is aging, and osteoporosis contributes to fractures that impact not only the health system, but also an individual's overall longevity. Men and women who experience a hip fracture are 5 to 8 times more likely to die within the three months after the fracture than people without a fracture, the United States Department of Health and Human Services reports. Keeping caffeine intake under the recommended amounts and making sure you get an adequate amount of calcium to counteract any loss of calcium absorption due to caffeine intake helps ensure strong bones.
References
- Clemson University Extension; Caffeine; Janis Hunter; September 2005
- University of Washington; Nutrition; Susan Ott, M.D. August 2007
- National Osteoporosis Foundation: Can Soft Drinks Cause a Problem for my Bones? 2010
- "American Journal of Epidemiology"; Caffeine and the Risk of Hip Fracture: the Framingham Study; D. Kiel, et al.; October 1990
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Effects of Caffeine on Bone and the Calcium Economy; Robert Heaney, M.D.; September 2002
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Risk of Death Persists After a Hip Fracture; 2011
