For years, medical researchers have tried to determine if a link exists between coffee consumption and cancer of the colon. But it appears that the question has been put to rest - at least for the moment.

A study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute concludes that people who drink a lot of coffee every day - even four cups or more - have no higher chance of developing colon cancer than those who drink no coffee at all.

Dr. Xuehong Zhang and his colleagues from the Harvard School of Public Health examined more than a dozen studies from North America and Europe.

Other research has produced inconsistencies about whether coffee and tea increase the risk of colon cancer. Sugary sodas, meanwhile, have definitely been connected to obesity and other conditions that are suspected of increasing the risk colon cancer in particular.

Those who researched the issue at the Harvard School of Public Health also concluded that there's no more risk of developing colorectal cancer among those who drink sweetened beverages daily. Researchers did, however, find a small increase in the possibility of colon cancer among those who consumed a lot of tea -- 32 oz or more a day. This conclusion, however, needs further research, they said.

The study pooled data on more than 730,000 people scattered across the globe, during a time period that covered between six and twenty years. 5,600 eventually got colon cancer. The researchers said the findings weren't influenced much by factors such as gender, smoking and use of alcohol.

Given the enormous size and scope of the population studies, choices and volumes of beverages varied greatly. Not many adult subjects drank large amounts of sweetened beverages every day, which probably means that this study won't be the last word on cancer risk and any connection to sweetened beverages.

But as far as coffee and tea are concerned, at least, the conclusions reached by researchers in this study will come as welcome news.

Regardless of the results, doctors say everyone over the age of 40 should be aware of colon health and the possibility of colon cancer. Colon cancer screenings can detect the disease before symptoms begin to appear.