Green tea, good for your bones?
18 September 2009
Although this research is interesting, it's important to remember that it was carried out in cells from rats and we don't know whether the compounds found in green tea have the same effect in people. 
Dr Karen Woo, associate medical director for Bupa
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 slow its breakdown. However, Dr Karen Woo, associate medical director for Bupa, points out that this research was 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 also 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 Karen Woo commented: "Although this research is interesting, it's important to remember that it was carried out in cells from rats and we don't know whether the compounds found in green tea have the same effect in people. Much more research is needed in humans before we know whether drinking green tea could help to improve the health of our bones.
"The best way to keep your bones healthy and prevent osteoporosis is to eat a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you smoke, it's important to give up, as smoking has a harmful effect on your bone strength."
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Related information
- Healthy eating health factsheet
- Osteoporosis health factsheet
- Osteoporosis and diet health factsheet
- Physical activity health factsheet
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