Coffee And Colon Cancer: Three Cups A Day Lowered Risk Of Recurrence

Most of us wouldn't mind a cup of Joe in the morning to energize us throughout our day. Yet did you know drinking coffee regularly can also help to prevent the return of colon cancer following treatment as well as improve the chances of survival?

New findings published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology show that patients who drank coffee were 42 percent less likely to have their cancer return than non-coffee drinkers and 33 percent less likely to die from cancer or any other cause. All it took was two to three cups of coffee daily for a more modest benefit, while little protection was associated with one cup or less.

This most recent study was based on 1,000 patients who were required to fill out dietary pattern questionnaires early in the study, during chemotherapy and again about a year later. Yet the "prospective" design of the study eliminated patients' need to recall their coffee-drinking habits years later, which has previously been found as a source of potential bias in some observational studies.

The study results showed that the lowered risk of cancer recurrence and deaths were entirely linked to caffeine and not other components of coffee. However, researchers noted that it's not entirely clear as to why this is the case. While one hypothesis suggests that caffeine increases the body's sensitivity to insulin so less of it is needed, in turn, it may help reduce inflammation levels--a risk factor for both diabetes and cancer.

Though the study results are encouraging, Fuchs said he is hesitant to make recommendations to patients until the results are also confirmed in other studies. "If you are a coffee drinker and are being treated for colon cancer, don't stop," he said. "But if you're not a coffee drinker and wondering whether to start, you should first discuss it with your physician."

However, the study is the first of its kind to note the association between caffeinated coffee and the risk of colon cancer recurrence, as well as suggest that this drink holds a number of protective effects against the development of several kinds of cancer, including liver cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and advanced prostate cancer.

Previous studies have also shown that coffee, in moderation of course, can help boost fat burning, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, improve liver function and even decrease the risk of overall mortality. Did we also mention that it's chock full of nutrients and antioxidants?

However, there are some drawbacks to drinking coffee, especially if you're a caffeine addict. It can increase catecholamines, otherwise known as your stress hormones. Furthermore, some studies have suggested that coffee may not be good to drink during pregnancy.

Like anything else, with your doctor about what's right for you.

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