Beverage Aid in Cancer Recurrence Prevention
Coffee Could Lower Colon Cancer Recurrence Risk, Study Finds
Drinking coffee may offer significant health benefits, including a reduced risk of colon cancer recurrence, a new study suggests. The research, conducted by an international team of scientists in the Netherlands, looked at 1,719 patients with colorectal cancer and found that those who drank at least two cups of coffee daily were less likely to experience a cancer relapse.
Particularly, patients with stage I, II, or III bowel cancer who drank at least five cups of coffee daily had a 32% lower chance of the cancer returning six years post-treatment. The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, defined recurrence as cancer reappearance in the same segment as the primary tumor, in the lymph nodes of the same segment, or in draining lymph nodes, or distant metastasis. Moreover, the researchers found a significant link between coffee intake and a lower all-cause mortality rate.
The potential benefits of coffee may be attributed to several active compounds found in the beverage, such as chlorogenic acid (CGA), polyphenols, cafestol, kahweol, and caffeine. These substances have been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.
Chlorogenic acid is known for its ability to fight inflammation in fat tissue, which is a common factor in cancer development. Cafestol and kahweol, found in Arabica beans, also have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. They have been proven to reduce inflammatory factors and induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. Caffeine's role has also been observed to modulate cell growth and apoptosis, although it is considered minor compared to the effects of polyphenols and other compounds.
For those not fond of coffee, alternative dietary sources of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents can help maintain colorectal health. Pomegranates, berries, and an antioxidant-rich diet are excellent options for cancer prevention, according to studies.
- The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties found in coffee supplements could potentially aid in reducing the risk of inflammation, a common factor in cancer development.
- Aside from coffee, a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, such as those found in pomegranates and berries, is beneficial for maintaining colorectal health and managing medical conditions like cancer.
- Given the link between coffee intake and lower all-cause mortality rate, the role of nutrition in health-and-wellness, including the prevention of cancer, is further emphasized by science.
