Most of us start our mornings with a cup of coffee, so it’s fair to ponder what impact this has on our health long term.
For the most part, the consensus is that black coffee is healthy. But can too much of a good thing, be a bad thing?
We’re going to teach share everything we know about the relationship between coffee and cancer. First, let’s clarify what we are and are not talking about in this article when we say “coffee”.
What Type Of Coffee Are We Talking About?
We won’t be speaking to the 1,000 calorie frappuccinos some people grab from Starbucks.
We’re talking black coffee, which can have a number of health benefits.
Once you start adding things to your black coffee – whether it be sugar, cream, syrup, or anything else, you are mitigating the health benefits, while adding the risks that these things bring too.
Sugar and dairy can both pose potential health risks. So while they might make your coffee taste better, it’s worth drinking your coffee black if you can manage.
Does Coffee Cause Or Prevent Cancer?
Now, let’s talk about what you came here to learn – whether coffee can cause or prevent cancer.
While scientists have been after the link between coffee and cancer for decades, there is still much to be learned.
But here is what we do know, according to the research.
Research On The Link Between Coffee and Cancer
As far as a specific link between cancer and coffee, there is limited research that we can pull a definitive statement from.
But, we do have evidence suggesting that coffee is not carcinogenic. This means it does not cause cancer, even in those who frequently consume it.
We also know that coffee is definitely not a cause of female breast, pancreas, and prostate cancers. It also may reduce the risk of uterine endometrium and liver cancers.
Plus, there is recent evidence suggesting that coffee can even lower the risk of several other types of cancer. These include:
- Neck
- Head
- Colorectal
- Breast
- Liver
We still don’t know exactly why coffee can help lower your risk of these specific illnesses. There are so many good things in coffee that could be helping: caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols.
But, we do know that too much of a good thing can be bad. So don’t start drinking 5-10 cups of coffee a day in an effort to ward off cancer.
Nevertheless, a cup or two a day could keep the illnesses away, so it’s definitely worth adding to your morning routine if it isn’t a part of it already.
