Another reason to drink coffee: reduce the risk of oral cancer

A new study found that drinking coffee lowers the risk of oral cancer.

Researchers at the American Cancer Society found that drinking one cup of coffee per day for several years drastically lowered the chances of dying from oral cancer.

The study looked at nearly one million healthy men and women beginning in 1982, said the New York Times.

The researchers surveyed participants over the course of 26 years about dietary habits and health.

After 26 years, 868 people had died of oral cancer.

UPI reported that after researchers adjusted for other factors, drinking one cup of coffee per day lowered the risk of oral cancer death by 26 percent.

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That risk diminished the more coffee one drank per day with two to three cups reducing the risk by 33 percent and 5 to 6 cups by 50 percent.

“We are not recommending that people start drinking coffee for cancer prevention,” said study author Janet S. Hildebrand, reported the Times.

“But this is good news for those of us who enjoy coffee.”

It is not clear why coffee prevents the cancer but it is likely due to polyphenols and compounds that are in the beverage.

Tobacco, alcohol and HPV are the top causes of oral cancer.

The findings were the American Journal of Epidemiology.