Study Suggests Coffee and Tea May Reduce Risk of Head and Neck Cancer

New Delhi: A recent study has suggested that consuming coffee and tea may reduce the risk of developing head and neck cancers, including cancers of the mouth and throat. Head and neck cancer, the seventh most common cancer globally, has been on the rise, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

The findings, published in the CANCER journal, analyzed data from 14 studies involving 9,548 patients with head and neck cancer and 15,783 controls without cancer. Participants provided detailed information about their consumption of caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and tea.

The analysis revealed that individuals who drank more than four cups of caffeinated coffee daily had a 17% lower risk of developing head and neck cancer overall compared to non-coffee drinkers. Specifically, this group had a 30% lower risk of oral cavity cancer and a 22% lower risk of throat cancer. Additionally, consuming three to four cups of caffeinated coffee was associated with a 41% reduced risk of hypopharyngeal cancer, a type of cancer at the bottom of the throat.

Interestingly, even decaffeinated coffee appeared to have protective effects. The study found that drinking decaffeinated coffee was linked to a 25% lower risk of oral cavity cancer.

Tea consumption also showed potential benefits, particularly for hypopharyngeal cancer. Drinking tea was associated with a 29% reduced risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. Moderate tea consumption—defined as one cup or less daily—was linked to a 9% lower overall risk of head and neck cancer and a 27% reduced risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. However, drinking more than one cup daily was associated with a 38% higher risk of laryngeal cancer.

Senior author Yuan-Chin Amy Lee, from Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah School of Medicine, told IANS about the complexity of coffee and tea habits and emphasized the need for further research to better understand their impact on cancer prevention.

The findings provide insights into the potential protective role of coffee and tea consumption, underscoring the importance of continued exploration in this area.