


Coffee also appears to lower inflammation, a risk factor for many cancers. Caffeine itself may interfere with the growth and spread of cancer cells. Coffee has also been associated with decreased estrogen levels, a hormone linked to several types of cancer. Various polyphenols in coffee have been shown to prevent cancer cell growth in animal studies. For example, coffee may stimulate the production of bile acids and speed digestion through the colon, which can lower the amount of carcinogens to which colon tissue is exposed. Does the benefit stem from the caffeine or plant compounds in the coffee bean? Is there a certain amount of coffee needed a day to produce a health benefit?Ĭoffee may affect how cancer develops, ranging from the initiation of a cancer cell to its death. Still, the cumulative research on coffee points in the direction of a health benefit. Low to moderate doses of caffeine (50–300 mg) may cause increased alertness, energy, and ability to concentrate, while higher doses may have negative effects such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and increased heart rate. Human response to coffee or caffeine can also vary substantially across individuals. What defines a cup is the type of coffee bean used, how it is roasted, the amount of grind, and how it is brewed. The cup of coffee you order from a coffee shop is likely different from the coffee you brew at home. Coffee and HealthĬoffee is an intricate mixture of more than a thousand chemicals. A moderate amount of coffee is generally defined as 3-5 cups a day, or on average 400 mg of caffeine, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. One 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains about 95 mg of caffeine. Plant chemicals: polyphenols including chlorogenic acid and quinic acid, and diterpenes including cafestol and kahweol.state pass legislation that coffee must bear a cancer warning label? Read on to explore the complexities of coffee. Additional accumulating research suggests that when consumed in moderation, coffee can be considered a healthy beverage. By 2016 it was exonerated, as research found that the beverage was not associated with an increased risk of cancer on the contrary, there was a decreased risk of certain cancers among those who drink coffee regularly once smoking history was properly accounted for. In 1991 coffee was included in a list of possible carcinogens by the World Health Organization. And yet this beverage has been subject to a long history of debate. Coffee lovers around the world who reach for their favorite morning brew probably aren’t thinking about its health benefits or risks.
