Drinking 5 Cups of Coffee or Tea Cuts Brain Tumor Risk

If you're wondering whether your daily coffee or tea habit could protect you from brain tumors, recent UK research suggests there's a strong link worth noticing. This isn’t about wellness fads—it’s a clinical finding based on data from over 300 actual brain tumor patients.

The short answer? Yes. Drinking at least five cups of coffee or tea per day is associated with a 40% lower risk of developing a glioma, a common type of brain tumor that begins in the brain tissue.

What the Study Found

Published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, the study conducted by researchers at Imperial College London analyzed data from more than 300 men and women diagnosed with glioma. These are tumors that typically originate within the brain’s supportive tissue. Researchers compared the caffeine intake habits of these patients with a control group of healthy individuals.

The key finding: people who consumed at least five cups of coffee or tea daily had a 40% lower likelihood of developing glioma compared to those who drank less. That threshold—five cups—is crucial. Below it, the protective effect was not observed.

Why Caffeine Might Protect Against Brain Tumors

One leading theory behind the findings is that caffeine reduces blood flow to the brain. With less blood, tumors receive fewer nutrients and less oxygen—conditions that hinder their growth. This mechanism might explain why regular consumption of caffeinated beverages appears to offer a shield against certain brain cancers.

It’s important to note: decaffeinated coffee and tea did not show the same protective effects. The active compound appears to be caffeine itself.

Gender Differences in the Effect

The study also revealed that the protective effect of high caffeine intake was stronger in men than in women, though researchers have yet to determine why. Despite the gender gap, the overall trend held true across both sexes: five or more cups daily correlated with significantly lower glioma risk.

This difference does not invalidate the finding, but it does suggest that biological or lifestyle factors may modulate caffeine’s impact differently in men and women.

What Counts as a Cup?

While the study doesn’t specify cup volume, standard assumptions in such research typically define a “cup” as around 240ml (8 ounces). That aligns with common serving sizes for both brewed coffee and tea. Whether black, green, or with milk, the key factor remains the presence of caffeine.

No distinction was made between types of tea or coffee in the data, so the benefit applies broadly—whether you prefer black tea, green tea, espresso, or filter coffee—as long as it delivers a significant caffeine dose.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cups of coffee or tea reduce brain tumor risk?

Drinking at least five cups of coffee or tea per day is linked to a 40% lower risk of developing glioma, according to the UK study. This threshold is critical—lower amounts did not show the same protective effect.

Does decaf coffee or tea protect against brain tumors?

No. The study found that only caffeinated coffee and tea were associated with reduced glioma risk. Decaffeinated versions did not show the same protective benefits, suggesting caffeine is the active compound responsible.

Why might caffeine help prevent brain tumors?

Researchers theorize that caffeine may reduce blood flow to the brain, limiting the oxygen and nutrients available for tumor growth. This mechanism could inhibit the development of gliomas, though further studies are needed to confirm it.

Does the effect apply to both men and women?

Yes, but the protective effect was stronger in men. While both genders showed reduced glioma risk with five or more cups daily, the impact was more pronounced among male participants. The reason for this difference is still unclear.

Is there a specific type of coffee or tea that works best?

The study didn’t differentiate between types of coffee or tea. As long as the beverage contains caffeine—such as black tea, green tea, espresso, or regular coffee—the potential benefit appears to apply. There was no mention of specific brewing methods or blends.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Brain Health

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