Drinking two to four cups of coffee a day can lower risk of bowel cancer recurrence: Study
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A recent research has revealedthat people with bowel cancer who consume two to four cups of coffee daily are significantly less likely to experience disease recurrence and have a reduced risk of mortality from any cause. This suggests a potential benefit of coffee consumption for individuals diagnosed with bowel cancer, the UK's second-leading cancer killer, according to the studypublished in the International Journal of Cancer.
The study conducted in the Netherlands, involving1,719 bowel cancer patients, demonstrated a dose-dependent relationship between coffee consumption and disease recurrence. Those who consumed at least two cups daily experienced a lower risk of cancer recurrence, with the greatest reduction observed among those consuming five or more cups per day.
Impact on survival
Higher coffee intake was also associated with improved survival rates among bowel cancer patients. Individuals consuming at least two cups daily had a lower risk of mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers, with the most significant reduction seen among those consuming five or more cups per day.
The findings offer promise, suggesting that regular coffee consumption may benefit individuals diagnosed with bowel cancer. If corroborated by further studies, this could potentially influence the behaviour of the 43,000 Britons diagnosed with bowel cancer annually. Given the disease's significant toll – claiming approximately 16,500 lives annually – such interventions could have profound implications.
DrEllen Kampman, the study's lead researcher, spoke to the Guardian aboutthe potential impact of coffee consumption on reducing bowel cancer recurrence. While cautioning against definitive causal conclusions, she highlighted the dose-dependent nature of the observed effects, suggesting a potential real association.
“It’s intriguing that that this study suggests drinking three to four cups of coffee may reduce the recurrence of bowel cancer,” she said.
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Further research is needed to unravel the biological mechanisms underlying coffee's potential protective effects against bowel cancer. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has identified chlorogenic acid, found in coffee and kale, as a promising candidate due to its role in glucose and insulin regulation.
(With inputs from agencies)