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Can green tea strengthen your bones?

17 September 2009: Drinking green tea may improve the health of your bones, according to research published this week.

 

Scientists in Hong Kong have discovered that a compound found in green tea stimulates bone formation and helps to slow its breakdown. However, Dr Sneh Khemka, Bupa International’s medical director, points out that this research was only carried out in animal cells and there is no way of knowing if green tea has the same effect on human bone.

In a laboratory, scientists looked at the effects of three major components of green tea - epigallocatechin (EGC), gallocatechin (GC) and gallocatechin gallate (GCG) - on bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) from rats.

Over several days, the researchers found that one of the compounds in particular, EGC, boosted the activity of an enzyme that promotes bone growth. EGC also significantly increased the levels of bone mineralisation in the cells. Bone mineralisation is a process that strengthens your bones.

As well as promoting bone growth, EGC blocked the activity of osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are cells that break down old bone as part of an ongoing process called bone remodelling, where old bone is replaced with new bone.

GC and GCG were found to reduce the formation of osteoclasts, but higher concentrations of these compounds were needed for this to happen.

The researchers suggest that EGC may have the potential to help prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Dr Khemka commented: "This research was carried out on rat cells grown in a laboratory under controlled conditions. Therefore, these results tell us nothing about the effects of green tea on human bone. A good quality study examining the effects of green tea on human bone would be necessary before any conclusions can be drawn.

“In the meantime, you can keep your bones healthy and help prevent osteoporosis by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. Calcium helps build strong bones, so make sure you’re getting enough in your diet. Adults should aim to have 700mg of calcium every day. Foods high in calcium include dairy products and green leafy vegetables. Weight-bearing exercises (exercises where you support your own weight such as brisk walking) are good for strengthening bones. If you aren't used to exercising, build up your routine gradually.

“Smoking is known to have a harmful effect on bone strength. If you smoke, give up. Your GP can give you advice on how to quit smoking.”

Key facts

  • Green tea is a popular type of tea that originates from China.
  • Previous scientific studies have linked green tea to the prevention of cancer and heart disease.
  • Your bones have a number of major functions in your body, including acting as a support structure and protecting your internal organs.
  • Osteoporosis literally means "porous bones". It is a condition where your bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than your body can replace them. This means that they lose density, causing them to become weak and more likely to break (fracture).
  • Osteoporosis is increasingly common as you get older, especially in women who have been through the menopause.

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