Five Daily Coffees May Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Women concerned about breast cancer risk often look to diet and lifestyle for answers. Among the most common questions: could something as ordinary as your daily coffee or tea habit influence your likelihood of developing the disease? A major study from Sweden offers clear—if surprising—answers about how much coffee or tea might affect those risks.

If you're a woman drinking five or more cups of coffee per day, you may be 19% less likely to develop breast cancer than someone drinking just one or two. But if you drink more than one cup of tea daily, your risk could rise by 19% compared to non-tea drinkers.

The Swedish Study on Coffee, Tea, and Breast Cancer

Published through Qatar-based media and drawing on research from Sweden, the study analyzed data from 40,000 women who consumed significant amounts of both coffee and tea. Researchers aimed to clarify conflicting health narratives around these everyday beverages. Their findings challenge long-held assumptions: coffee may offer protective benefits, while tea could pose unexpected risks.

Coffee’s Protective Effect: The Numbers

When comparing women who drank only one or two cups of coffee per day with those who drank five or more, researchers found a notable difference. Those consuming five or more cups had a 19% lower risk of developing breast cancer. This suggests a dose-related benefit—at least up to five cups daily—with coffee possibly playing a protective role against the disease.

Tea’s Surprising Risk Increase

In contrast, the study found that drinking more than one cup of tea per day was associated with a 19% higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who did not drink tea at all. This effect was consistent even after accounting for other variables, raising questions about tea’s traditional reputation as a healthy beverage.

What’s Behind the Findings?

Researchers have yet to fully determine why these beverages produce such differing effects. However, they noted that coffee contains a range of antioxidants—compounds believed to protect cells from damage and combat inflammation. These antioxidant properties may help shield cells from becoming cancerous. Tea, despite common assumptions, did not show similar benefits in this large-scale analysis and was instead linked to increased risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cups of coffee per day may reduce breast cancer risk?

Drinking five or more cups of coffee daily was associated with a 19% lower risk of breast cancer compared to drinking only one or two cups, according to a Swedish study of 40,000 women.

Does drinking tea increase the risk of breast cancer?

Yes. The study found that consuming more than one cup of tea per day was linked to a 19% higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who did not drink tea.

Why might coffee lower breast cancer risk?

Researchers believe coffee’s antioxidants may protect cells from damage and inflammation, potentially reducing cancer risk. The exact mechanism is still under investigation.

Why might tea raise breast cancer risk?

The study did not determine the exact reason, but it found a consistent 19% increase in breast cancer risk among women who drank more than one cup of tea per day, compared to non-tea drinkers.

How was the study conducted?

The research analyzed data from 40,000 women who consumed significant amounts of coffee and tea. By comparing different levels of consumption, researchers identified the 19% risk differences for both beverages.

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