Study Shows Coffee Consumption Linked to Reduced Risk of Bowel Cancer Recurrence and Mortality

A recent study has discovered that individuals diagnosed with bowel cancer who consume two to four cups of coffee per day have a lower risk of disease recurrence and mortality from any cause. This research provides insight into the potential benefits of coffee consumption for bowel cancer patients, which is the second leading cancer killer in the UK. The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer and involved 1,719 bowel cancer patients in the Netherlands.

The results of the study showed a dose-dependent relationship between coffee consumption and disease recurrence. Those who drank at least two cups of coffee daily had a decreased risk of cancer recurrence, with the greatest reduction seen in those who consumed five or more cups per day. Furthermore, higher coffee intake was linked to improved survival rates among bowel cancer patients.

Individuals who consumed at least two cups of coffee daily had a lower risk of mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers, with the most significant reduction observed in those who drank five or more cups per day. Dr. Ellen Kampman, the lead researcher of the study, emphasized the potential impact of coffee consumption on reducing bowel cancer recurrence.

While noting that further research is necessary to confirm causal relationships, she highlighted the dose-dependent nature of the observed effects, suggesting a real association. The findings of this study offer hope for individuals diagnosed with bowel cancer, potentially influencing the behavior of the thousands of Britons diagnosed with the disease each year. With bowel cancer claiming around 16,500 lives annually, interventions based on these findings could have significant implications.

Additional research is needed to uncover the biological mechanisms behind 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. This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the potential health benefits of moderate coffee consumption for individuals with bowel cancer.