In this article, we examine the possible link between coffee and cancer and look at whether drinking coffee can provide any health benefits.
Does coffee cause cancer?
Cancer is a complex disease, and it is not always easy to determine its cause. Researchers have investigated many different substances to find out if they increase a person’s risk of cancer. Substances that can cause cancer are known as carcinogens.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed more than 1,000 studies in humans and animals and did not find adequate evidence to indicate that coffee is a carcinogen.
However, more research into the link between coffee and cancer is necessary. A 2017 study suggests that drinking coffee may, in fact, lower the risk of developing specific forms of cancer.
Although older studies did sometimes find a link between drinking coffee and developing cancer, the cause was often smoking rather than coffee. People who smoke also tend to drink coffee.
Most cancers occur due to a combination of factors, including people’s genes, environment, and lifestyle.
Some key risk factors for cancer include:
- smoking
- being overweight
- an unhealthful diet
- drinking alcohol
- sun exposure
- workplace risks, such as exposure to certain chemicals and radiation
- specific inherited genes, although this is a relatively uncommon cause
These risk factors can combine to increase the likelihood of a person developing cancer. For example, someone may have an unhealthful diet and not do enough exercise.
Drinking coffee as part of a healthful lifestyle is unlikely to be a health risk, but excessive coffee consumption can cause health problems. Coffee contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that makes the brain more alert and temporarily increases blood pressure.
People who have heart problems may choose to avoid coffee if they experience heart palpitations after drinking it. Coffee can also cause acid reflux in some people and may irritate the stomach.
Drinking coffee in the evening can disrupt sleep, and a good night’s sleep is essential for health. It might be beneficial to replace coffee with a decaffeinated version or a herbal tea later in the day.
A 2017 study reviewed a wide range of evidence and concluded that drinking moderate amounts of coffee is generally safe. According to this study, drinking coffee may also have health benefits.
The study compared people who drank no coffee with people who drank the following amounts of coffee each day:
- approximately 4–7 cups
- about 1–3 cups
- one extra cup
The researchers found that all the groups drinking coffee had a lower rate of cancer than those who did not drink any coffee. People who drank more coffee had a reduced risk of developing the following cancers:
- prostate
- endometrial
- melanoma and non-melanoma skin
- oral
- leukemia
The study did not find a strong link between coffee consumption and the following cancers:
- gastric
- colorectal
- ovarian
- thyroid
- breast
- pancreatic
- laryngeal
- lymphoma
Other benefits of drinking coffee included a lower risk of death from all causes and a lower risk of heart disease, liver disease, and Parkinson’s disease. The researchers found that drinking 3–4 cups of coffee per day gave the most benefit.
Coffee also contains antioxidants. These are substances that may stop or slow down cell damage. There is a need for more research on the potential health benefits of antioxidants.
Takeaway
Current research suggests that coffee is unlikely to cause cancer. It may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, but there is not yet enough scientific evidence to confirm this.
As part of a healthful diet, coffee is likely to be beneficial. Drinking up to 4 cups of coffee a day should not pose any risks to health and may reduce the risk of certain diseases.
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