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Can Coffee Lower Cancer Risk?

A lot of Americans start their morning out with a cup of coffee, and most feel they wouldn’t be able to function without it. Wouldn’t it be nice if this drink that so many people rely on everyday had some cancer-fighting capabilities? There is actually reason to think it could. Coffee beans contain antioxidants, which are considered to have some protective effect against cancer.

More than 1,000 studies have been conducted, and results have been mixed. Earlier studies indicated that coffee may increase risk of some types of cancer. However, more in-depth studies since then have weakened those claims. Several newer studies have found the popular beverage to lower risk of certain cancer types including prostate, liver, endometrial and some mouth and throat cancers.

In some studies, benefits were only found in those who drank four to six cups per day. Though the cancer fighting perks are nice, drinking too much coffee can have other negative effects. Excess caffeine can disturb sleep patterns, cause migraines and lead to digestive issues. Added cream or sugar can lead to weight gain which we know can increase your risk for several types of cancer.

There are other ways of increasing the number of antioxidants in your diet while still avoiding those negative side effects. Adding more fruits and vegetables is the surest way to do that. They are high in antioxidants and many studies show those who eat more are likely helping to lower their cancer risk significantly.

Visit our nutrition page for more ways to include cancer-fighting foods in your diet and tons of awesome recipes approved by our oncology dietitians.

Source: The American Cancer Society

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