How does Caffeine Affect Bone Density

Coffee and Bone: How does Caffeine Affect Bone Density

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Coffee has been known to stimulate the nervous system, increase energy levels, prevent certain diseases and has antioxidant properties.

But despite its known benefits, it also has a certain effect on our bone density over time.

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CAFFEINE AND BONE HEALTH

Caffeine has been associated with a lower bone density as the person ages because it decreases the ability of the body to absorb calcium. And because it is a diuretic and a stimulant, it is thought to cause calcium to be rapidly excreted in the urine before it is completely absorbed by the intestines.

However, in an observational study performed in 2002 with 32 participants indicated that there is a direct relation between caffeine intake and loss in bone density.

But, the potential loss in bone density is seen on participants with insufficient calcium intake or a very high coffee consumption (about 9 cups every day).

Another meta-analysis also suggests an increased risk of fractures may be potentially related to overall coffee intake.

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OTHER EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE

There are epidemiological studies that relate regular and lifelong intake of caffeine intake with slow physiological, age-related cognitive decline especially in women 80 years old and above.

Caffeine consumption may raise blood pressure especially in people who are already suffering from hypertension and who don’t normally consume caffeine.

In a study, people with hypertension are given 250 mg of caffeine (about 2 cups of coffee) and the data revealed that their blood pressure was high 2-3 hours after consumption of coffee.

In a study conducted by Dr. Lucio Mos, revealed that young adults with mild hypertension had 4 times the risk of having a heart attack if they consume 4 cups of coffee.

One study showed that woman who consumes 31-250mg of caffeine per day had 1.5 fold increase of developing fibrocystic breast diseases and women who consume over 500mg of caffeine per day has 2.3 fold increase in the risk of developing cysts.

A study from the University of Alabama showed those women who consume a lot of caffeine are 70% more likely to develop urinary incontinence.

Over-consumption of caffeine has also been linked to several conditions such as gout attacks, indigestion, insomnia, migraines, and reduced fertility in women and risk of miscarriage.

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CONCLUSION

Remember, each condition and diseases linked to coffee consumption are multi-factorial so aside from a moderate coffee consumption, you must also have a healthy lifestyle and healthy diet to prevent these health conditions.  By: Ana Margarita Olar