Drinking tea, coffee linked to lower risk of head and neck cancer: Study

NEW DELHI: Drinking tea or coffee is associated with a lower risk of developing cancers of the head and neck, including cancers of the mouth and throat, according to a review of previously published studies.

Drinking 3-4 cups of coffee daily was linked to a 17 per cent lower risk of head and neck cancer, while consuming one cup of tea was associated with a 9 per cent lower risk, according to the findings published in the journal Cancer.

Previous research has shown that bioactive compounds in coffee and tea, such as caffeine, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which contribute to lowering disease risk. A recent study also suggested that coffee, in moderation, could promote healthy longevity.