Skip to main content

Does drinking coffee and tea lower your cancer risk? New study explores

Should you consume more coffee or tea?

Cup of coffee on a table
Jason Villanueva / Pexels

In a new scientific meta-analysis of more than a dozen studies published today, researchers suggest that coffee and tea consumption could lower the risk of developing certain kinds of cancers. The findings, published in a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, examined how head, neck, and throat cancers could be impacted by consuming coffee and tea regularly. The meta-analysis reviewed 14 studies on tea and coffee consumption, suggesting that those who drink more than cups of caffeinated coffee each day could have a reduced risk of developing head or neck cancer by as much as 17%.

The study’s senior author, Dr. Yuan-Chin Amy Lee said: “While there has been prior research on coffee and tea consumption and reduced risk of cancer, this study highlighted their varying effects with different sub-sites of head and neck cancer, including the observation that even decaffeinated coffee had some positive impact. Coffee and tea habits are fairly complex, and these findings support the need for more data and further studies around the impact that coffee and tea can have on reducing cancer risk.”

Recommended Videos
The research also examined the cancer risk of drinking coffee and tea for decaf drinkers. Drinking decaffeinated coffee or tea was only associated with a reduced risk of one type of head and neck cancer. Additionally, decaf drinkers were found to have a 25 percent lower risk of developing cancer in their mouth or tongue. While the results of this comprehensive analysis are promising, this research doesn’t apply to all types of cancers. Researchers have concluded additional studies are needed to draw more conclusive data.
Emily Caldwell
Emily is a freelance journalist with a focus on food, travel, health, and fitness content. She loves to travel to new…
Vietnamese coffee gets a tea bag twist for effortless brewing anywhere
Enjoying Vietnamese coffee has never been this easy
Mai Coffee Bags

Chicago-based entrepreneur Alan Phung is taking a different approach to coffee innovation -- and his story is worth tuning in to. Phung's story is rooted in personal loss, cultural heritage, and a desire to make Vietnamese coffee more accessible. After losing his father in high school, Phung traveled to Vietnam to reconnect with his roots. During his trip, he found more than just heritage -- he discovered an incredible coffee culture, a welcoming community, and a sense of purpose.

After realizing that Vietnamese coffee was challenging and time-consuming for most people to make, Phung set out to find a better solution. His mission: To simplify how we make Vietnamese coffee to allow more people to enjoy it. Phung has now brought his vision to life with the launch of Mai Coffee, the first-ever Vietnamese Coffee pouches. Here's how his revolutionary tea-bag-style brewing method brings Vietnamese coffee to everyone, with no specialized equipment required.
Vietnamese coffee: Challenges and solutions

Read more
Starbucks confirms Pumpkin Spice Latte return date and new fall menu
Mark your calendars for the unofficial start of fall
Pumpkin Spice Starbucks

The beloved Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte was first introduced more than 20 years ago, creating the phenomenon it remains today. Data shows that consumer interest in pumpkin spice started earlier this year, with an uptick in searches starting in mid-June vs mid-July 2024, per Google Trends. Today, Starbucks and pumpkin spice fans can take a mental break from the summer heat and mark their calendars for August 26 -- the unofficial start of fall.

Starting August 26, the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte, made with real pumpkin, will return at Starbucks coffeehouses. This year, other fall menu items will include the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, and Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte. Following the recent interest in the new Starbucks cortado, launched earlier this year, Starbucks will also launch a new Pecan Oatmilk Cortado alongside new Italian Sausage Egg Bites.

Read more
How one small Wisconsin roaster became a leader in ethical coffee
Recyclable packaging, regenerative agriculture, and more
Wonderstate Coffee

Founded by Caleb Nicholes in 2005, Wonderstate Coffee began as a coffee roasting company that sold to local Co-Op grocery stores. Coming from the wine industry, Nicholes was inspired to find and roast the most extraordinary coffee he could. He later developed a deep interest in fairness in the supply chain, environmental responsibility, and equitable compensation for coffee farmers.

By combining his passion for exceptional coffee with earnest intentions, Wonderstate Coffee has made a national impact in the coffee world today. Shortly after Caleb started the company in 2005, Denise and TJ Semanchin (husband and wife) bought the company to become partners with Caleb. I chatted with TJ to learn more about how this small, Wisconsin-based roaster is refining American coffee through ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to transparency.
Wonderstate Coffee sourcing model

Read more