Do you drink coffee or tea daily? It could unexpectedly play a role in reducing the risk of certain forms of cancer in the head and neck. A large international analysis shows that both caffeinated coffee and decaf, as well as tea, showed signs of protection — though much depends on the type of cancer and the amount you drink.
Coffee and tea consumption was linked to a lower risk of throat cancer and oral cavity cancer, among others, based on data from more than 25,000 people worldwide.
Caffeinated coffee had the strongest effect, but tea and decaf also showed patterns interesting enough to warrant further investigation. Daily habits sometimes have more influence than you think — though the interpretation is less clear-cut than it appears.
Coffee and Tea Under the Microscope for Cancer Risk
A pooled analysis of 14 international studies showed that people who drink coffee or tea developed head and neck cancer less frequently on average — including throat and oral cavity cancer. The results were recently published in the journal CANCER by the American Cancer Society.
Globally, head and neck cancers are among the most common cancer types, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Although the effects of caffeine and theine have been studied before, results varied. This new analysis aims to provide more clarity.
Researchers gathered data from participants in fourteen studies within the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium. They reported how much coffee and tea they drank at different times in their lives, from cups per day to per month or year. A distinction was made between caffeine-free and caffeinated varieties.
In large population studies, striking correlations emerge between coffee, tea, and certain cancer types
What Did the Numbers Show?
Researchers compared 9,548 people with head and neck cancer to 15,783 healthy control subjects. Among people who drank more than four cups of caffeinated coffee daily, head and neck cancer risk was 17% lower. For oral cavity cancer, this increased to 30%, and for throat cancer to 22%.
With daily consumption of three to four cups of coffee, 41% less risk of hypopharyngeal cancer was found — a cancer type in the lower part of the throat.
Decaf also showed effects: 25% less chance of oral cavity cancer among regular drinkers. And tea? One cup per day was associated with 27% less risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. More than one cup per day was less favorable: the risk of laryngeal cancer actually increased by 38%.
The effect of diet on disease prevention is rarely black and white. Yet consistent enough to take seriously. ~ Dr. Mark Hyman
Caution With Conclusions
In other words: the pattern is visible, but the mechanism behind it remains unclear.
Verified Sources
“Coffee and Tea Consumption and the Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: An Updated Pooled Analysis in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium” December 24, 2024, CANCER. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35620. Source: SciTechDaily.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes Coffee Possibly Protective Against Cancer?
Coffee contains substances like antioxidants that help the body fight cell damage. In people who drink caffeinated coffee daily, a lower risk of oral and throat cancer has been observed — though it remains unclear whether this is due to the caffeine itself or other compounds.
Can Decaf Also Contribute?
Decaf showed positive effects in the study, especially for oral cavity cancer. The protective effect appears somewhat weaker than regular coffee, but is not ruled out. This suggests it’s not just about caffeine.
What About Tea?
Tea showed a link to lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer, especially among light drinkers. But people who drank more than one cup per day actually had an increased chance of laryngeal cancer. The effects appear to depend on quantity and type.
