New research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism from researchers at the University of Hong Kong finds that drinking coffee promotes bone mineral density, an essential indicator of strong, healthy bones.
The study titled Serum Metabolome of Coffee Consumption and its Association with Bone Mineral Density: The Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study, researchers, assayed the bone mineral density of 564 Chinese adults enrolled in osteoporosis research. It is separating the self-identified coffee drinkers from the puritans. After comparing both groups, the researchers discovered coffee drinkers to have a “significantly higher bone mineral density, accurately identifying three molecules– AFMU, 3-hydroxyhippurate, and trigonelline– that connect both coffee consumption and strong bones that were less likely to fracture.
This research runs counter to prior findings on the subject of coffee and bone health, which has been inconclusive at best. One previous study found that “caffeine reduced calcium absorption and inhibited bone formation.However, this new research, while relatively small, could help settle the score thanks to the identification of the three molecules in coffee-related to better bone density. According to one doctor who is not associated with the research, could lead to creating new medications to help protect bone health in the future.
The authors of the research highlighted the fact that coffee is a widely consumed beverage and consists of several ‘bioactive’ compounds such as carbohydrates, lipids, nitrogenous compounds, vitamins, minerals, and phenolic compounds that relate to various health outcomes. Epidemiological studies suggest that chronic coffee consumption connects a reduced risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and cancer.
These three metabolites, AFMU, 3-hydroxyhippurate, and trigonelline, could be potential biomarkers of coffee consumption and influence bone health, the authors of the study concluded.
