Coffee Consumption Associated with Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer

That morning cup of joe may have more benefits than waking you up and getting you going each day.

Researchers have analyzed 16 studies involving over 1 million men and found a link between coffee consumption and a decreased risk of prostate cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the Unites States and the most diagnosed cancer in men, with one in eight men receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis each year.

Drinking one to three cups of coffee daily, whether caffeinated or decaffeinated, has been found to provide a 7% lower risk of localized prostate cancer and a 15% lower risk of advanced cancer. For those men who have or used to have prostate cancer, drinking four or more cups a day may help delay the disease’s progression and could also keep the cancer from returning.

While the exact reason coffee consumption has been linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer is not definitive, coffee has hundreds of active ingredients that are good for your health. Coffee is rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, antioxidants that help your body function more efficiently while protecting the body’s tissues against toxins and stress associated with cancers, coronary heart disease and inflammation.

Scientists have identified two possibilities for coffee’s cancer fighting abilities: cafestol and kahweol acetate which are natural diterpenes found in coffee beans. These active ingredients have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds and have been found to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells. While these finding are exciting, more studies need to be done.

It is important to note that there are some downsides to drinking too much coffee and that can vary per individual. Overconsumption can lead to insomnia, headaches, heighten anxiety, and irregular heartbeat. Caffeine sensitivity can affect how your body reacts. You may need to decrease the daily intake or alter the times in which you drink it, so it doesn’t keep you up at night.