New Delhi: According to a new study, drinking three to four cups of coffee in a day is associated with a 41% lower risk of head and neck cancers. Tea, too, is linked with the health benefits and this has been found by researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Huntsman Cancer Institute. Cancers of the head and neck can develop in over 30 locations ranging from the lips to the mouth, throat, sinuses, voice box, nose, and salivary glands. This form of tumour is largely reported in middle and low-income countries.
How does tea or coffee reduce head and neck cancer risk?
The study’s authors said that although there has been research in the past highlighting the effects of tea and coffee on health, this one in particular highlighted the varying effects of head and neck cancers. The study also observed the health effects of decaffeinated coffee. Although the coffee and tea habits of most people are complex, the study’s findings note that more data is needed to know the impact of coffee and tea on reducing cancer risk.
Experts also analysed 14 studies on the intake of tea and coffee and they altogether yielded info on 9548 people living with head and neck cancer and 15783 people without the disease. Participants also completed questionnaires on how many cups of caffeinated or decaffeinated they consumed every day and every week. As compared to non-coffee consumers, people who had more than four cups in a day had a 17% lower chance of developing cancer in the first place. The study was published in the CANCER journal.
The study also found that drinking tea or coffee reduced the risk of developing cancer in the oral cavity by 30%, and of throat cancer by 22%. The same was also linked to a 41% lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. Smoking rarely or drinking booze, and eating unhealthy food can also spike cancer risk significantly. Decaf drinkers, on the other hand, had a 255 lower risk of mouth and tongue cancer.
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