Previous studies found that tea consumption was related to a reduction in the risks of some chronic diseases, but limited data are available on bone health. This study aimed to examine the associations of tea consumption with hip bone strength in Chinese women.

Cross-sectional study.

The participants were from the ongoing Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study. This was a cohort study started in 2008. The examination data conducted between June 2010 and December 2013 were used.

A total of 1,495 Chinese women aged more than 40 years were included.

Tea consumption, sociodemographic information and lifestyle habits were collected by a face-to-face questionnaire. Hip bone mineral density (BMD) and geometric parameters, i.e. cross-sectional area (CSA), section modulus (Z) and buckling ratio (BR), were generated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The associations of tea consumption with bone phenotypes were detected by analysis of covariance and multiple linear regression models after adjusting for age, body mass index, years since menopause, physical activity, dietary-protein intake, dietary-calcium intake, calcium tablet intake, drinking status and smoking status.

Tea drinkers (n = 732) had approximately 1.9% higher BMD (p < 0.05) and 3.6% lower BR (p < 0.05) than non-tea drinkers (n = 763). The dose-response relationships of BMD, BR or CSA with total tea consumption were identified (p-trend < 0.05). Tea drinking was found to be a significant and independent predictor of BMD (β = 0.068, p < 0.05) or BR (β = -0.079, p < 0.05).

Tea consumption was associated with increased bone strength in middle-aged and elderly Chinese women.