Bone Health: Is Coffee Good Or Bad For Your Bones? Experts Explain

Can you imagine starting the day without a cup of coffee? For many of us, the answer is a big no! Coffee is one of the most popular beverages, consumed by millions across the globe. It refuels us with energy and helps us stay active for long hours. However, coffee has been a part of several controversies for years. It is, in fact, a topic of interest for health experts and scientists across the globe. For years, there have been numerous studies, finding probable effects of caffeine consumption on our heath. While much has been spoken about how coffee impacts our heart, gut, weight and more, some of the recent studies found the probable links between caffeine and bone health. Let's elucidate further.

Coffee: Good Or Bad For Bones?

Coffee, a major source of caffeine, is often dubbed to have negative effect on our bones. According to a study, published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, excessive consumption of caffeine may lead to an increased release of calcium (through urine). This may decrease the bone density in our body, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. The study further states that the caffeine intake may also interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium (from food).

However, a recent research states exactly the opposite. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, investigated the relationship between coffee and bone health. The researchers surveyed 564 people and found that the ones who drank coffee regularly had higher bone mass density that non-coffee drinkers. Explaining the phenomenon, the researchers stated that the more calcium lost through urination, the more people will absorb from whatever sources of calcium they consume. "No evidence of an increase of fractures due to coffee has been found till now," the study adds.

A report in clevelandclinic.org further weighs in, drinking coffee has no such effect on our bone health. Only coffee drinkers who need to worry about calcium are those who don't get enough calcium in the first place.

Considering it all, we say, it is important to maintain a healthy, nutrient-rich diet to keep up overall good health.

Also Read: Losing Hair? Coffee And Cola Are To Be Blamed; 5 Drinks For Hair Growth

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Here're 5 Calcium-Rich Food Options For You:

Milk:

Considered to be one of the best sources of calcium, milk also helped benefit our gut, skin and overall health. Here are some milk-based recipes to add to your diet.

Spinach:

A popular food ingredient in every kitchen, spinach defines health and goodness for all. As per USDA, a 100g of spinach contains 99mg of calcium. Here we bring some fun ways to add spinach to your everyday diet. Click here.

Rajma:

Rajma-chawal spells indulgence and there's no denying to it. Besides being delicious, rajma is enriched with calcium too. As per USDA, a 100-gram serving of rajma contains 143mg of calcium. Click here for some interesting rajma-based recipes to include in your daily diet.

Chia Seeds:

Another excellent source of calcium, chia seeds may look small but are quite nutrient-dense. A 100-gram serving of chia seeds contain 631 mg of calcium. Besides being nutritious, these tiny seeds are widely used in breakfast preparations as well. Here we bring you a delicious chia seed pudding recipe for your daily calcium fix.

Walnuts:

Walnut is often dubbed a superfood due to its rich nutrient content. A 100-gram serving of walnut contains 98mg of calcium. You can snack on walnuts as is. If you are bored of having the same walnut every single day, here are some fun ways to add it to your daily diet. Click here to know more.

Eat healthy, stay fit!

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.​