Tea and bone health: steps forward in translational nutrition

Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 Dec;98(6 Suppl):1694S-1699S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.058255. Epub 2013 Oct 30.

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a major health problem in the aging population worldwide. Cross-sectional and retrospective evidence indicates that tea consumption may be a promising approach in mitigating bone loss and in reducing risk of osteoporotic fractures among older adults. Tea polyphenols enhance osteoblastogenesis and suppress osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Animal studies reveal that intake of tea polyphenols have pronounced positive effects on bone as shown by higher bone mass and trabecular bone volume, number, and thickness and lower trabecular separation via increasing bone formation and inhibition of bone resorption, resulting in greater bone strength. These osteoprotective effects appear to be mediated through antioxidant or antiinflammatory pathways along with their downstream signaling mechanisms. A short-term clinical trial of green tea polyphenols has translated the findings from ovariectomized animals to postmenopausal osteopenic women through evaluation of bioavailability, safety, bone turnover markers, muscle strength, and quality of life. For future studies, preclinical animal studies to optimize the dose of tea polyphenols for maximum osteoprotective efficacy and a follow-up short-term dose-response trial in postmenopausal osteopenic women are necessary to inform the design of randomized controlled studies in at-risk populations. Advanced imaging technology should also contribute to determining the effective dose of tea polyphenols in achieving better bone mass, microarchitecture integrity, and bone strength, which are critical steps for translating the putative benefit of tea consumption in osteoporosis management into clinical practice and dietary guidelines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / pharmacology
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects*
  • Camellia sinensis / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Osteoporosis / metabolism*
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / prevention & control
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / metabolism
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / prevention & control
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Polyphenols / administration & dosage
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology*
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use
  • Tea / chemistry*
  • Translational Research, Biomedical

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • Tea