A new study shows that a chemical found in green tea can stimulate bone formation and help slow its breakdown.

The study done by researchers in Hong Kong and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry finds that EGC, a main compound in green tea, boosted the activity of a key enzyme that promotes bone growth by up to 79 percent.

EGC also significantly boosted levels of bone mineralization in the cells, which strengthens bones. Researcher Ping Chung Leung notes that previous studies have already linked green tea to improved bone health, but says that few have been able to pinpoint the exact chemicals that are responsible for it.

The study suggests that increased consumption of green tea can prevent and treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases that affect millions worldwide.

In the U.S. today, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have osteoporosis and almost 34 million more are believed to be at an increased risk for the disease.

Muscle-strengthening exercise, as well as proper intake of calcium and vitamin D through food or nutritional health supplements have all been shown to lower the risk of developing osteoporosis.