While we he must start the day with a glass of water, most Americans depend on a different drink to get the ball rolling: coffee. According to the National Coffee Association’s 2020 National Coffee Data Trends report, 62% of Americans drink coffee every day. And it turns out that the benefits of the drink boil down to more than just an energy shock – a new article published this week in British Medical Journal suggests that a few cups of coffee a day may decrease your risk of developing prostate cancer. For more information on what the researchers found, read on and for another drink that is good for your body, see Drinking 3 times a day can help you live longer, the study concluded.
The new meta-analysis was published in BMJ Open by researchers from the Department of Urology at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. They suggest that the benefit of coffee lies in the fact that it contains chemicals with anti-cancer properties, including the ability to suppress an enzyme responsible for tumor formation. The team analyzed 16 different studies that examined coffee consumption, noting that people who drank more coffee had a 7% lower risk of localized prostate cancer and about 15% less advanced cancer.
Although the study authors emphasize that more research is needed on the links between coffee and this health benefit, they suggested that of the more than 1,000 chemicals in roasted coffee, two in particular are believed to be – cafestol and kahweol – have anti-cancer properties. Chlorogenic acid, which has an antioxidant effect on the body, is also present in the drink.
As for the amount of coffee this means you should drink, keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a maximum caffeine intake of 400 mg per day – or about 4 to 5 cups of coffee, so at least least some restriction is advisable. Read on to learn more about foods with similar cancer-fighting properties and to find out when it’s best to drink your coffee, avoid The worst time to drink your breakfast, study says.
You don’t need to say that fresh vegetables are good for you, but the American Cancer Society (ACS) specifically recommends “dark green, red and orange, and other fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas).” Among dark green vegetables, broccoli is believed to be particularly beneficial thanks to the presence of sulforaphane, a dietary component that inhibits the growth of breast cancer stem cells, according to a study by the College of Pharmacy at the University of Michigan. And to find out more about the symptoms you should be aware of, check out These are all cancer warning signs that are hidden from everyone’s view.
Avoiding over-processed, sweetened or adulterated fruits is also essential, as well as choosing “whole fruits in a variety of colors”, advises ACS. Research has shown that citrus fruits, in particular, have been linked to a lower risk of developing cancer of the upper digestive and respiratory tract and stomach. And for more health news and tips delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
A 2017 report by the American Cancer Research Institute and the Global Cancer Research Fund recommends that people consume 90 grams of whole grains a day, which is equivalent to a bowl of oatmeal, a sandwich with wholemeal bread or a meal made with brown rice. The thought is that by making your bowel movements more regular and diluting them, a whole grain diet moves harmful chemicals through your system faster before they can cause damage. By maintaining a steady diet of whole grains, Cancer Research UK suggests that you can reduce your risk of bowel cancer by 17%. And for a surprising way that you are increasing your risk, see Not doing this simple hygiene task increases your risk of cancer, says the study.
Garlic contains allicin, a compound that has been shown to kill cancer cells in test tube research. Several studies have suggested that eating more garlic – about a clove a day – can lower your risk of stomach, prostate and colorectal cancer. And for more ways to reduce the risk, see the article Exercise at this exact time can reduce the risk of cancer, says the study.