Herbal tea effectively reduces risk of distal colon cancer, a new study shows.

For the study, researchers analyzed a case-control study concentrated on colorectal cancer conducted in Western Australia between 2005 and 2007. They used a multivariable logistic regression model to examine the data. The research team found that black tea, with or without milk, green tea, decaffeinated coffee and milk showed no effect on colorectal cancer risk.

According to the study analysis, the researchers found that drinking herbal tea at least once a week is good for overall health.

They also found that hot coffee increased the risk of distal colon cancer. However, this finding conflicted with earlier research. The team reported that the link between drinking iced coffee and an increased risk of rectal cancer was also inconsistent and maybe just a chance discovery.

"Whether or not the relationship between the herbal tea and decreased risk of cancer is a "real" effect needs to be confirmed in other studies," Curtin University Professor Lin Fritschi said, reports Medical Xpress. "One of the reasons people who drink herbal tea may have a reduced risk is that overall, they have a healthier diet than those who don't. The tea might just be a marker for that, not the actual protective factor."

"One strength of this study was the use of pathology reports for accurate determination of site-of-cancer origin in the large bowel," Fritschi added. "A further strength was the measurement of tea and coffee, which included the type, frequency and amount consumed."

The study, 'Tea, coffee, and milk consumption and colorectal cancer risk,' was published in the 'PubMed.'