A very recent study found that ‘moderate’ coffee drinkers (1-2 cups a day) have 26% lower odds of developing colorectal cancer. The risk is reduced up to a 50% when the coffee intake is more than 2.5 servings of coffee daily. This included decaffeinated coffee.
This data comes from a large study conducted in Israel. There were 5,145 participants who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 4,097 people, as controls, who did not have the disease.
Coffee has caffeine and polyphenols which have antioxidant effects that can reduce the growth of colon cancer cells.
Other beneficial compounds found in coffee include melanoidins and diterpenes which help reduce bile acid secretion, and improve bowel function.
I plan to really enjoy my next cup of coffee!
*Source: Cancer Epidemiology, April 2016:25:634-639.
