For many people, a cup or two of coffee is a necessary part of how they start their day. The caffeine will definitely wake you up but could this aspect of your daily routine reduce your risk of cancer too? Researchers have been doing the work to find the answer to this very question and give you a whole new reason to reach for your coffee mug.
What The Experts Know So Far
According to a series of recent individual studies, drinking coffee can be linked to a lower risk of developing certain cancers. There is also some good news for people who currently have cancer or are recovering from it. The amount of coffee that made a difference in the risk for the illness varied based on the individual’s health status.
For example, with prostate cancer, it took six cups per day to significantly reduce cancer risk in those who hadn’t had it. In some cases, three cups cut down the likelihood of the more aggressive form of prostate cancer. For those who were recovering from that form of cancer, four cups of coffee per day could prevent its recurrence.
Similar amounts of coffee have also been found to reduce your risk of developing skin, endometrial, throat, liver, and mouth cancers.
Interestingly, the same effects were seen whether the coffee was caffeinated or decaffeinated. That fact strongly suggested that the benefits weren’t linked to caffeine content, which prompted further investigation.
Those studies suggested that the antioxidants in coffee could be the components that have the observed effect on cancer risk because of their anti-inflammatory properties.
They also found two other nutrients known as kahweol acetate and cafestol, that may slow the progression of cancer cells. However, more studies need to be done.
RELATED: That Morning Cup of Coffee May Extend Your Life
The Other Side Of The Coin
Though the findings are promising, it’s important to note that more research needs to be done. The most definitive answers would come from clinical trials and these haven’t been arranged yet.
You should also bear in mind that consuming the amount of caffeine that could reduce the risk of cancer may have consequences. For example, having 32 ounces of coffee daily can give you headaches, dizziness, restlessness, insomnia, and an
