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Our Members Asked:
Can drinking coffee weaken bones or make arthritis worse?
Answer:
Drinking caffeinated coffee can increase calcium loss and reduce calcium absorption, but this is unlikely to significantly impact bone health provided calcium intake is adequate. In fact, some research has linked coffee intake with a reduced risk of developing osteoporosis, although the amount and type of coffee may affect the potential benefit.
Although research has been inconsistent, recent observational studies have found no link between coffee intake and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, drinking caffeinated coffee may interfere with the effectiveness of certain treatments for RA.
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David19621
June 02, 2024I often drink 3 caffeinated espressos, sometimes two plus a decaf if I'm going to be having that last one late in the day. I'm 70, and I run every day with my dog, and my bones and joints are fine.
wesley j21688
January 19, 2025Yes, you sound healthy. I drink 2 expresso coladas (small cup) through the day and am 78 and take Mega Men GNC 40 yrs. Feel great. Doc says my blood test #s are excellent.
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Pat19612
June 01, 2024What about tea drinkers?
ConsumerLab.com
June 02, 2024Please see the Concerns and Cautions section of our Green Tea Review for information about the effects of tea on teeth and bones https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/green-tea-review-tea-bags-matcha-supplements/green-tea/#cautions.
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Tracy19604
May 31, 2024I switched to low acid ground coffee a month ago, and what a difference! Much less pain and no more gut discomfort. There aren't as many choices (all ground or whole), and I haven't found one that tastes nearly as good as douwe egberts (instant so not as healthy, and expensive).
I drink 1 1/2 mugs (3 regular cups) of coffee per day, then switch to two cups of decaf, then switch to about two cups of herbal tea with ginger, lemon and turmeric (and if I'm really not feeling good, I add extra turmeric - the kind most recommended by Consumer Lab).
ConsumerLab.com
June 02, 2024You can find information about coffee, including low-acid coffee, and reflux here https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#reflux.
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pam19602
May 31, 2024I drink ground 8oz in the morning and 8 oz Cold Brew in the afternoon (both with milk for years). Take 1000mg of Calcium citrate (along with magnesium and Vit D) and unfortunately suffer from osteoporosis (take Rcast via IV)which hasn’t slowed down the Osteo. So I guess I am not one of the “2 cups a day” club members! 🫤
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Tamela19599
May 31, 2024I gave up Pepsi but not my coffee!!!
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Tina19589
May 31, 2024Coffee and UTI? Understand it irritates the bladder?
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Patricia14567
August 21, 2023Love reading Consumer Lab Reports! Great summary and reference to actual research.
Anita18640
February 06, 2024I definitely agree with your comment. I recently became a member & have not been disappointed.
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Barbara14566
August 20, 2023My husband and I drink 3-4 cups caffeinated a day. We use milk as our liquid base. We've done this for most of our lives, no problems found yet.
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Barbara14565
August 15, 2023Heavy coffee drinker 3-4 cups per day all my life. I've had no ill effects from that decision.
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Bruce14558
May 25, 2022I have been a constant coffee drinker of low caffine in the morning and decaf in the afternoon and evening for many (decades) years and the stiff pain has been worsening. Two months ago I quit cold turkey. The pain has stopped and the stiffness is melting away. I had been diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis. Wrong.... Try altering your diet and perhaps you will be surprised.
Todd H
September 18, 2022I have PSA too
I hope that works for you but PSA can be chronic but often comes and goes
Moves around and flares up from time to time
So cause and effect may not be linked
I have most of my issues when I don’t stay hydrated more so than coffee intake
Kristi14561
August 15, 2023I’m right there with you Bruce, my stiffness and joint pain decreased significantly after I stopped drinking coffee. Hopefully someone in a lot of pain will at least consider stopping coffee for a month or two. It was definitely worth it for me.
JANET-JABT
August 20, 2023I have OA with pain & stiffness. I'll eliminate coffee for a trial.
JANET-JABT
October 03, 2023I gave up coffee for a week, There was no difference noticed in my knee OA. I'm back on coffee now. I enjoy 1-3 cups a day.
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Bob Lang
December 31, 2020The benefits of coffee far outweigh the risk according to the Harvard Nurses Health study, I have no financial interest with coffee except that I pay to buy it.
Pat A
March 03, 2021That’s music to my ears!
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