Caffeine addicts’ daily cups o’ Joe may help lower their rate of head and neck cancers, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention and reported by Reuters Health.

For the study, scientists examined results from nine earlier studies that looked at these particular cancers and also included details about coffee and tea drinkers. All nine studies compared cancer patients with the general population or cancer-free hospital patients.

Researchers found a 12 percent lower risk of developing cancer among coffee drinkers even after factoring in cigarette smoking.

It also appeared that the bigger the caffeine junkie, the lower the cancer risk. Scientists found that those who drank who four or more cups of the bitter brew had a 33 percent lower cancer risk.  

But don’t run out and buy your favorite blend just yet. Scientists aren’t certain why coffee decreases head and neck cancer risk.

Researchers explained that other coffee ingredients, such as cafestol and kahweol compounds, may protect against cancer-causing carcinogens.

Click here for more about additional health benefits for coffee drinkers.