New study: daily drinking of coffee and tea may reduce cancer risk

Further evidence of the health benefits of coffee and tea: a new study reveals a link between coffee and tea consumption and a reduced risk of cancers in the head and neck area. The study adds to previous studies that found a reduced risk of cancer and many other diseases among those who regularly drank tea and coffee.

The new study was published in the new issue of the medical journal Cancer. The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Utah and is based on a comprehensive analysis of 14 studies that included over 25 thousand subjects, of which 9,548 were patients with head and neck cancer and 15,783 subjects in a control group.

The researchers found that drinking more than four cups of coffee a day was associated with a 17% reduction in the overall risk of head and neck cancer. Particularly impressive data were obtained in oral cavity cancer, where there was a decrease of up to 41% in drinking three to four cups of coffee a day. The study also highlighted the contribution of decaffeinated coffee, the consumption of which was associated with a 25%-34% reduction in the risk of oral cavity cancer, depending on the amount consumed.

Tea has been found to reduce the risk of pharyngeal cancer by 29% when consumed in a moderate amount of one cup a day. However, drinking more than one drink per day was associated with a 38% increased risk of vocal cord cancer. The researchers estimate that the differences are due to factors such as the temperature of the drink, the method of preparation or the types of tea consumed.

Many previous studies have found health benefits of drinking coffee and tea. Among other things, studies have shown that drinking coffee may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease and even improve brain function. Tea, and especially green tea, has been found to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease thanks to its antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and improve cholesterol levels. According to the estimates, the antioxidants found in both coffee and tea from the “polyphenols” group are the ones that help inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and prevent metastasis.

How much coffee and tea is recommended to drink? According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, coffee consumption is considered safe in an amount of up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is equal to about four cups of coffee. However, the recommendations vary according to the person’s health condition and sensitivity to caffeine. Consumption of green or black tea in a dose of 2-3 cups per day is considered beneficial, but it is recommended to avoid drinking very hot drinks, which may damage the mucous membranes and increase the risk of esophageal cancer.