Drinking coffee, tea linked to lower risk of head & neck cancers

A new study found that coffee and tea may lower the risk of head and neck cancers, including mouth and throat cancers. Analysing data from over a dozen previous studies provides new insights into how these beverages could contribute to cancer prevention.

Coffee, tea may reduce cancer risk

Head and neck cancers are among the most common globally, ranking as the seventh most frequent cancer type. The rates are rising, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, previous studies have provided mixed results on whether coffee and tea consumption affects the risk of these cancers.

Researchers from the University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute analysed data from 14 studies by the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium. They examined the coffee and tea consumption habits of participants, who reported their caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee and tea intake and frequency.

The study involving 9,548 head and neck cancer patients and 15,783 healthy individualsfound that those who drank over four cups of caffeinated coffee daily had a 17% lower risk of developing head and neck cancer compared to non-coffee drinkers. The risk of oral cavity cancer was reduced by 30%, and the risk of throat cancer was lowered by 22%.

Drinking three to four cups of coffee daily was linked to a 41% lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer, which affects the bottom throat. Decaffeinated coffee reduced the risk of oral cavity cancer by 25%.

Tea consumption lowers cancer risks. Drinking tea was linked with a 29% lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. People who drank one cup or less of tea daily had 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 a day was associated with a 38% higher risk of laryngeal cancer.

Possible reasons behind findings

Researchers note that while these findings are promising, more research is needed to understand the relationship between coffee, tea, and cancer risk. Certain bioactive compounds in coffee and tea, such as antioxidants and polyphenols, may help reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage, potentially lowering cancer risk.

The study’s lead researcher, Professor Yuan-Chin Amy Lee from the University of Utah, explained, “While there has been prior research on coffee and tea consumption and reduced risk of cancer, this study highlighted their varying effects with different sub-sites of head and neck cancer, including the observation that even decaffeinated coffee had some positive impact.”

The team emphasized that coffee and tea habits are complex, and their effects can vary by cancer. Professor Lee also added, “Coffee and tea habits are fairly complex, and these findings support the need for more data and further studies around the impact that coffee and tea can have on reducing cancer risk.”

Despite the study’s valuable insights, there are limitations. The self-reported coffee and tea consumption data may not be entirely accurate. Additionally, the researchers did not examine the specific types of coffee or tea consumed, which could impact the results.

What does this mean for cancer prevention?

This study doesn’t prove that coffee and tea directly protect against cancer, but suggests that regular consumption may lower the risk of head and neck cancers. More studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand the effects of coffee and tea on cancer prevention.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organisation reported cancer caused about 15% of global deaths in 2021. Head and neck cancers alone account for nearly 745,000 new cases and 364,000 deaths each year.

Tea and coffee offer health benefits beyond cancer prevention. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which can improve heart health and reduce diabetes risk. Black tea, commonly consumed, contains flavonoids that support heart health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Caffeine in tea and coffee can improve mental performance by enhancing attention span, memory, and reaction time. Green tea, in particular, has been linked to better dental health due to its fluoride content, which strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent decay.

While coffee and tea may not guarantee protection against head and neck cancer, they can help reduce cancer risk. As researchers explore this connection, incorporating coffee and tea into a healthy lifestyle may be a beneficial step in cancer prevention.

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

Watch: Kashmir experiences first snowfall of season after dry spell

Amarnath Yatra: Tackling rising death toll from extreme weather events

Tourists arrival in Kashmir break records, a need to regulate it?

From tourist paradise to waste wasteland: Sindh River Cry for help

Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id [email protected]. 

Don't forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.