Unprecedented Scientific Discovery: Coffee Reduces the Risk of Head and Neck Cancers
Dubai – Qahwa World
A new global study has revealed that drinking coffee, particularly in higher amounts, may significantly reduce the risk of developing head and neck cancers, one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide. Published in the Cancer journal by the American Cancer Society, the research represents one of the largest analyses ever conducted on this topic and offers new insights into how coffee and tea consumption affect cancer risk.
The study was carried out by an international team of researchers from the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium (INHANCE), bringing together data from fourteen large-scale case-control studies conducted across Europe, North America, and Latin America. In total, the analysis included 9,548 individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancers and 15,783 individuals without cancer, making it the most comprehensive dataset of its kind. Researchers used advanced statistical models to assess associations between beverage consumption and cancer risk, taking into account known influencing factors such as age, smoking, alcohol intake, diet, and education level.
According to the results, people who drank more than four cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a 17 percent lower risk of developing any form of head and neck cancer compared to non-coffee drinkers. The protective effect was even stronger for certain cancers: the risk of oral cavity cancer was 30 percent lower, and the risk of oropharyngeal cancer—the type that develops in the area behind the mouth—was 22 percent lower among heavy coffee drinkers. The study also found that drinking three to four cups of coffee daily was associated with a 41 percent reduction in hypopharyngeal cancer, which affects the lower part of the throat. These findings suggest a clear dose-response relationship, where higher coffee consumption corresponds to a lower likelihood of developing these cancers.
Interestingly, the study also observed that decaffeinated coffee showed similar protective trends, particularly against oral cavity cancer. Individuals who consumed even small amounts of decaffeinated coffee had a significantly reduced risk, suggesting that the beneficial compounds in coffee are not limited to caffeine. Researchers highlighted that coffee contains a complex mix of bioactive substances, including polyphenols, chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, cafestol, and kahweol—compounds that have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties known to inhibit cancer cell growth and reduce oxidative stress.
Tea, on the other hand, showed a more complex relationship. Moderate tea consumption of up to one cup per day was linked to a small protective effect, reducing overall head and neck cancer risk by around 9 percent and hypopharyngeal cancer risk by 27 percent. However, participants who drank more than one cup of tea daily appeared to have a 38 percent higher risk of developing laryngeal cancer, which affects the voice box. The authors of the study suggested that this could be due to tea’s content of theophylline, a compound known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter and potentially increase acid reflux, a condition associated with a higher risk of laryngeal cancer.
Head and neck cancer encompasses malignancies of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx, and remains a serious global health concern. According to global cancer statistics, these cancers accounted for approximately 745,000 new cases and 364,000 deaths in 2020. Although incidence rates have declined in some high-income countries, oropharyngeal cancers have increased, largely linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Meanwhile, low- and middle-income nations continue to bear a growing burden due to limited access to early diagnosis and treatment. Given this backdrop, the discovery of potential protective lifestyle factors such as coffee consumption could have important implications for prevention efforts worldwide.
The research team, led by Dr. Yuan-Chin Amy Lee from the University of Utah School of Medicine and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, emphasized that while the study establishes strong associations, it does not prove direct causation. The findings are observational and should be interpreted with caution, as factors such as the type of coffee, brewing method, and geographic differences in beverage habits could influence results. Nonetheless, the consistency of the associations across multiple populations and cancer subsites strengthens the evidence that coffee may play a beneficial role in reducing cancer risk.
The authors also pointed out that coffee’s health benefits are not limited to its caffeine content. Laboratory studies have shown that the natural compounds found in both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, trigger apoptosis (cell death), and reduce inflammation, all of which are key mechanisms in preventing tumor growth. They noted that these effects were evident regardless of participants’ age, gender, or smoking and drinking habits. Even after controlling for major risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use—both of which are strongly linked to head and neck cancers—the protective pattern of coffee consumption remained.
However, the researchers called for more in-depth investigations to understand regional differences, especially in countries where coffee and tea types and preparation methods vary significantly. For instance, green tea, widely consumed in Asia, has shown different biological properties compared to black tea, which is more common in Europe and North America. The oxidation process used in black tea production lowers its catechin content, potentially diminishing its antioxidant capacity. Future studies, they added, should explore these nuances and include populations from underrepresented regions such as South America, Africa, and Asia.
Despite the need for further research, the study adds substantial weight to the growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that coffee, when consumed in moderation or more, may be one of the most health-promoting beverages available. Its combination of antioxidants, polyphenols, and other natural compounds appears to contribute not only to energy and alertness but also to long-term health protection. For millions of coffee drinkers around the world, the morning ritual of brewing a cup may now carry even greater significance—offering comfort, focus, and perhaps a measure of protection against one of the world’s most challenging diseases.
