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Researcher coffee can reduce the colorectal cancer risk
Although coffee has long been associated with a health-damaging reputation, there has been growing evidence recently that the popular pick-me-up may be beneficial to health. According to a new study, he could possibly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Coffee is healthier than its reputation says
For a long time, coffee was considered hazardous to health. Excessive consumption of the popular hot drink has been associated, among other things, with an increased risk of diseases such as hypertension or heart attack. In recent years, however, various studies have often come to opposite conclusions. This way, coffee can be good for the heart and also prevent arteriosclerosis. In addition, researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DifE) recently reported in the journal "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" on protective effects in liver cancer with regular coffee consumption. But that's not all: according to US researchers, people who drink coffee regularly have a lower risk of getting colon cancer.
US researchers have found that regular coffee consumption can help prevent colon cancer. Whether with or without caffeine does not matter. (Image: BillionPhotos / fotolia.com) Lower risk of colon cancer through regular coffee consumption
Already last year, researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, USA, in the journal "Journal of Clinical Oncology" reported a reduced risk of colorectal cancer recurrence with four cups of coffee per day. But apparently you can even prevent with the popular hot drink. In a comparative study, US and Israeli researchers came to the conclusion that people who drink coffee regularly have a much lower risk of developing colorectal cancer. This applies regardless of whether the drink contains caffeine or not. The scientists published their findings in the journal "Cancer Epidemology, Biomarkers & Prevention".
The more the better
According to the news agency dpa, more than 5,100 colorectal cancer patients were interviewed about their coffee consumption the year before the cancer diagnosis. In addition, more than 4,000 comparable participants without colorectal cancer were interviewed, how they prepared them and whether they preferred them with or without caffeine. The participants also had to provide information about their smoking behavior, the intake of medication, exercise and nutrition. So all sorts of factors that can affect the risk of colon cancer. After the researchers had calculated their influence, there was a clear correlation between coffee consumption and disease risk. Already one to two cups of coffee daily were therefore associated with a 26 percent lower risk of colon cancer. At more than two and a half cups per day, the probability dropped even more than 50 percent.
Caffeine does not seem to matter
In a statement from the University of Southern California (USC), study leader Stephen Gruber explained: "We found that drinking coffee is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer, and the more coffee you consume the lower the risk." But he also said: "We were a little surprised that caffeine did not seem to matter". Gruber said, "This suggests that caffeine alone is not responsible for the protective properties of coffee." Although coffee contains many ingredients that could contribute to the health of the gut, such as antioxidants, melanoidins or diterpenes. But how much of it ends up in a cup, depending on the type of bean, roasting and brewing different. The study found that all types of preparation were associated with a lower colorectal cancer risk.
German expert is critical
"Although the data from the study seem convincing because they are based on a large sample, there are some limitations because it is an observational study," said Krasimira Aleksandrova from the German Institute for Human Nutrition (DIfE) in Potsdam, who did not comment on the study was involved. "The study contributes to a previously controversial data," said the expert, according to dpa. Coffee has a chemically complex structure with over 1,000 compounds. "So far, we can only speculate which of them may be responsible for the health-promoting effects of certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cancer."
Less colon cancer diseases in Germany
It is said that the large European EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) study has not shown a clear link between coffee and colorectal cancer but more convincing data for reducing the risk of liver cancer and type 2 diabetes. Caffeine has played a role in many studies. "Interestingly, that was not the case in this study," says Aleksandrova. "We need more research before we can recommend coffee as a precautionary measure," Gruber said. "Apart from that, there are only a few health risks from coffee consumption." Although colon cancer is the second most common malignancy in men and women in Germany, the number of new cases has decreased by 14 percent in Germany over the past few years, according to a press release from the German Cancer Research Center ( DKFZ). (Ad)