Coffee may reduce the risk of colon cancer’s return

Coffee is a beverage that is used all around the world and is drunk by millions of people. A new study on Monday revealed that if the patients who are diagnosed with stage III colon cancer drink four or more cups of coffee daily, they had a lower chance of seeing their colon cancer return. Colon cancer is characterized by the development of malignant cells in the lining or the epithelium of the first and longest portion of the intestine. Common symptoms of the disease would be large bowel or swollen intestine. Apart from what is suggested in the study, there are many proven upsides of coffee. Coffee helps improve your energy levels and helps in burning fat. It is the perfect beverage to kick start your day. It has many essential nutrients and also helps in the lowering of Type II diabetes. Coffee is also related to the reduced chances of suffering from Alzheimer’s and subsequently dementia. This new study involved 1,000 patients, all of whom had undergone chemotherapy and surgery for stage III colon cancer. A stage III cancer means that the colon cancer has been found in the lymph nodes near the original tumor site, but not anywhere else in the body.

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The researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer center in Boston found that the greatest benefit was seen in those who drank four or more than four cups of coffee a day, which amounts to about 460 milligrams.  The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology and said,” These patients were 42 per cent less likely to have their cancer-return than non-coffee drinkers, and were 33 percent less likely to die from cancer. The people who drank more than four cups a day experienced a modest benefit, while little protection was associated with one cup or less.” The researchers also pointed out that they found that the lowered risk of recurrence and death were specifically tied to the caffeine in coffee rather than the other coffee components.

However, with all its effects more studies are still required to confirm its link with preventing colon cancer. Other studies have also suggested that coffee may have a protective effect against postmenopausal breast cancer, melanoma, liver cancer and advanced prostate cancer.  The lead author of the study, Charles Fuchs, said that if you are being treated for colon cancer and are a coffee drinker, don’t stop but if you are not a coffee drinker and want to start, consult your physician first.