Java consumption and colorectal cancer: Does it reduce the risk?
Dietary Habits and Colorectal Cancer: New Research on Coffee Consumption
Intriguing findings from a study published in the International Journal of Cancer suggest that drinking four cups of coffee per day could lower the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence by 32%. The research involved 1,719 participants with colorectal cancer in stages 1 through 3.
Several possible mechanisms have been proposed to explain the link between coffee consumption and cancer risk reduction, including:
- Decreasing oxidative stress
- Promoting beneficial gut bacteria
- Inhibiting tumor growth
- Offering protection against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
These potential benefits apply to both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, yet recent studies suggest variations between the two types. While caffeinated coffee might be associated with a higher risk of rectal cancer, the connection with colon cancer remains unclear, indicating that the human body may metabolize the two types differently.
These findings could contribute to overall efforts to prevent colorectal cancer through healthier lifestyle choices, such as engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a nutritious diet, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol use.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) supports the ongoing investigation into coffee and its impact on colorectal cancer. Ongoing studies will help clarify the relationship between caffeinated versus decaffeinated coffee and cancer cell growth, ultimately providing more concrete advice for cancer prevention.
For those interested, additional research delves into the complex relationship between coffee consumption, overall cancer risk, and cancer-fighting foods to help reduce the risk of cancer.
References:[1] International Agency for Research on Cancer (2016). Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Volume 100 Part A: Drinks, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco. (100A, 2016). accessed August 23, 2023.[2] Crockett, M., Wall, R., & Slattery, M.L. (2016). Diet and colorectal cancer survival: an umbrella review of meta-analyses. Int J Cancer, 139(1), 185-194.[3] Donovan, J.L., Kim, S., & Lee, S.H. (2017). Coffee consumption, gut bacteria, polyphenols, and colon cancer risk. Cancer Prev Res (Phila), 10(2), 106-118.[4] Park, S., & Cho, B. (2016). Potential benefits of coffee consumption in cancer prevention. Could skin be a new target after liver, prostate, and colon? Made galaxy access. int J Cancer, 139(4), 758-766.
- The research, published in the International Journal of Cancer, suggest that drinking four cups of coffee per day could decrease the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence by 32%.
- The potential benefits of coffee consumption, such as reducing oxidative stress, promoting beneficial gut bacteria, and inhibiting tumor growth, apply to both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.
- Ongoing studies, including those supported by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), aim to clarify the relationship between caffeinated versus decaffeinated coffee and cancer cell growth.
- Maintaining a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol use, along with coffee consumption, are important lifestyle choices to prevent colorectal cancer.
