New research suggests that drinking coffee and tea might help reduce the risk of head and neck cancers, including cancers of the mouth and throat.
The findings, published in the journal CANCER, analyzed data from over a dozen studies and provide fresh insights into how these popular drinks may impact cancer risk.
Head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer globally, and cases are increasing in low- and middle-income countries.
Many studies have tried to determine if coffee or tea can lower the risk, but the results have been mixed.
To address this, researchers pooled data from 14 studies conducted by scientists in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology consortium.
The study included 9,548 people with head and neck cancer and 15,783 individuals without cancer.
Participants were asked about their habits, including how much coffee or tea they drank. Researchers analyzed this information to see if there was a link between these beverages and cancer risk.
Key findings
- Caffeinated Coffee: People who drank more than four cups of caffeinated coffee daily had a 17% lower risk of head and neck cancer overall. For specific types of cancer, the benefits were even higher:
- 30% lower risk of oral cavity cancer (cancer in the mouth).
- 22% lower risk of throat cancer.
- 41% lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer (a type of cancer at the bottom of the throat) with 3–4 cups daily.
- Decaffeinated Coffee: Drinking decaf coffee was associated with a 25% lower risk of oral cavity cancer.
- Tea: Tea drinkers also saw benefits. Drinking one cup or less daily was linked to a 9% lower risk of head and neck cancer and a 27% lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. However, drinking more than one cup of tea daily was associated with a 38% higher risk of laryngeal cancer (cancer of the voice box).
The study’s lead author, Dr. Yuan-Chin Amy Lee, noted that the results show the benefits of coffee and tea vary depending on the type of cancer. Even decaf coffee showed some protective effects, which is significant.
While the findings suggest coffee and tea may help lower cancer risk, the habits surrounding these drinks are complex. The researchers emphasized that more studies are needed to understand how these beverages impact cancer prevention.
For now, the results provide promising evidence that your daily cup of coffee or tea could offer more than just a morning boost—it might also play a role in reducing cancer risk.
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