Calcium and vitamin D are two of the most essential elements that play a role in building and maintaining bones and decreasing the risk for osteoporosis, or softening of the bones. Research indicates that increasing your consumption of tea, especially green tea, might help improve bone health.
Osteoblasts
Researchers from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center performed a review of scientific studies regarding the effects of green tea on bone metabolism. They concluded that green tea is effective for improving bone mineral density, which in turn lowers the risk for bone fractures. In addition, green tea boosts the production of osteoblasts, or bone forming cells, according to findings reported in the July 2009 issue of the journal "Nutrition Research."
Bone Mineral Density
In research reported in the April 2000 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," scientists from the University of Cambridge School of Medicine in the United Kingdom explored the effects of tea consumption on bone mineral density in older women. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding tea consumption and were measured for bone mineral density. They discovered that regular tea drinkers had significantly greater bone mineral density compared to non-tea drinkers.
Green Tea Catechins
Green tea's antioxidant properties are due to a group of compounds called catechins. Scientists from the Chinese University of Hong Kong examined the impact of green tea catechins on bone health. They found that green tea catechins reduced the production of osteoclasts, or cells that lead to bone breakdown, while increasing the production of osteoblasts. Researchers stated that the green tea catechin epigallocatechin had the greatest effect of all green tea catechins on bone health. Their findings were published in the August 2009 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry."
Interactions
Tea contains caffeine, which might interact with certain medications, including cimetidine, disulfiram and riluzol, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. If you are currently on any of these medications, consult your health care provider about drinking green tea.
References
- "Nutrition Research;" Green Tea and Metabolism; C.L. Shen et al.; July 2009
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition;" Tea Drinking and Bone Mineral Density in Older Women; V.M. Hegarty et al.; April 2000
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry;" Effects of Tea Catechins, Epigallocatechin, Gallocatechin, and Gallocatechin Gallate, on Bone Metabolism; Ko et al.; August 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute: Tea
