Drinking 5 Cups of Coffee or Tea Daily May Cut Brain Tumor Risk

If you’ve ever wondered whether your morning coffee habit could protect you from serious illness, a major UK study offers a compelling answer. Researchers have found a strong link between high daily intake of coffee or tea and a significantly reduced risk of developing a specific type of brain tumor.

The short answer? Drinking at least five cups of coffee or tea per day is associated with a 40% lower risk of glioma, a common and often aggressive form of brain cancer. This effect was especially pronounced in men, though scientists haven’t yet determined why.

What the Study Found

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, the research comes from scientists at Imperial College London. The team analyzed data from over 300 men and women diagnosed with glioma, a type of brain tumor that typically originates in the brain’s glial cells.

When comparing these patients with a control group who did not have glioma, researchers noticed a clear pattern: individuals who reported drinking at least five cups of coffee or tea every day had a 40% lower likelihood of developing the tumor.

Why Caffeine Might Protect Against Tumors

While the exact biological mechanism isn’t fully understood, one leading theory suggests that caffeine may reduce blood flow to the brain. This decrease in circulation could limit the oxygen and nutrients available for potential tumor growth, effectively starving early-stage tumors.

It’s important to note that this protective effect was not observed with decaffeinated versions of coffee or tea. Only regular, caffeinated beverages showed the reduced risk association.

Gender Differences in the Effect

The study also revealed a gender disparity in the results. Men who drank five or more cups of coffee or tea daily saw a more significant reduction in glioma risk compared to women. However, researchers emphasized that the overall trend held true across both sexes, with the effect simply being stronger in men.

The reason behind this difference remains unclear, and further research is needed to explore how biological or lifestyle factors might influence caffeine’s protective role in different genders.

What Counts as a Cup?

The study defined a “cup” as a standard serving of coffee or tea—roughly equivalent to 240ml or 8 ounces. Importantly, the type of coffee or tea didn’t alter the outcome, meaning both black coffee and regular tea were equally associated with the reduced risk, as long as they were caffeinated.

This suggests it’s the caffeine content—and not other compounds specific to coffee or tea—that plays the critical preventive role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does decaf coffee or tea offer the same protection against brain tumors?

No, the study found that only caffeinated coffee or tea was associated with a reduced risk of glioma. Decaffeinated versions did not show the same protective effect, suggesting caffeine plays a key role in limiting tumor development.

How many cups of coffee or tea per day were linked to lower brain tumor risk?

Drinking at least five cups of caffeinated coffee or tea daily was associated with a 40% lower risk of developing glioma, according to the UK study. This threshold was consistent across the analyzed patient group.

Was the reduced brain tumor risk seen in both men and women?

Yes, the protective effect was observed in both men and women, but it was more pronounced in men. Researchers are still investigating why men experienced a greater risk reduction from high caffeine intake.

Does the type of coffee or tea matter for the protective effect?

No, the type—whether black coffee, espresso, or regular tea—didn’t change the outcome. As long as the beverage was caffeinated, it was linked to the reduced glioma risk. The study did not find differences based on coffee origin or preparation style.

Could other compounds in coffee or tea be responsible for the risk reduction?

The leading theory focuses on caffeine, which may reduce brain blood flow and limit tumor growth. Other compounds weren’t isolated as causes in this study, and decaf drinks showed no protective effect, pointing to caffeine as the likely key factor.

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