Drinking coffee or tea may lower the risk of certain cancers

LOS ANGELES - A large international study suggests drinking coffee or tea may help reduce the risk of specific head and neck cancers, researchers reported.

The analysis of more than 9,500 cancer cases and 15,700 controls found people who drank more than four cups of coffee daily had lower risks of certain oral and throat cancers.

Key findings from the research

By the numbers

• Study analyzed 9,548 cancer cases and 15,783 controls
• Research spanned 14 countries
• Drinking over 4 cups of coffee daily linked to 17% lower risk of head and neck cancer
• Coffee drinkers showed 30% lower risk of oral cavity cancer
• Tea drinkers had 29% lower risk of certain throat cancers

Benefits and risks found

What we know

People drinking more than 4 cups of coffee daily showed reduced risks of oral cavity and throat cancers compared to non-coffee drinkers, according to research published in Cancer journal.

Both regular and decaffeinated coffee demonstrated protective effects, suggesting caffeine may not be the only beneficial component.

What we don't know

Researchers haven't determined exactly how coffee and tea might help prevent these cancers, though antioxidants and other compounds may play a role.

Tea's mixed effects

The bottom line

Tea drinkers saw reduced risks of some throat cancers. However, drinking more than one cup daily was linked to increased risk of laryngeal cancer in some cases.

What this means for coffee and tea drinkers

What's next

Researchers say more studies are needed to understand how different types of coffee and tea, preparation methods, and regional differences might affect cancer risks.

The Source

Information from research published in Cancer journal December 2024, incorporating data from the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology consortium across 14 countries.