Coffee is a mandatory part of almost every person’s day. The morning starts with a big cup of coffee and thanks to it, we are all at least a little better people. Who can resist the fantastic smell of coffee? Nobody. But what about the side effects that coffee has on us that we’ve probably all wondered about at least once? Here are the answers to the 8 most frequently asked questions about drinking coffee.
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Is coffee associated with cancer?
One of the most common questions asked about coffee when it comes to health is whether it affects the development of cancer. Although coffee has long been believed to be unhealthy, according to the American Cancer Research Institute, coffee is actually on the list of foods and beverages to be consumed in the fight against cancer. Why? Due to the high amount of antioxidants it contains. Antioxidants protect the cells in our body and keep them healthy, in other words they reduce the risk of cancer.
According to new guidelines published by the American Cancer Society, coffee consumption can reduce the risk of cancer of the liver and endometrium, as well as the mouth, pharynx, larynx and skin. It is also believed that the invigorating drink reduces the risk of some malignancies of the digestive system.
Does coffee raise cholesterol levels?
Yes, but only the unfiltered. According to research done in several research centers, the substance from coffee that affects the rise in cholesterol is called coffee starch. A cup of unfiltered coffee can contain up to 4 mg of coffee starch which would increase cholesterol levels by about 1%. But if you filter the coffee using a paper filter, you will successfully get rid of this substance. This is especially useful for those who have high levels of low-density lipoprotein.
For many people, the real beginning of the day marks the first invigorating cup of coffee. Fans will probably be pleased to learn that the hot drink can help reduce the risk of several cancers.
Whether coffee linked to cancer consumption reduces or increases the risk of various types of cancer is the subject of active research. Some studies suggest that coffee consumption reduces the risk of liver and endometrial cancer. There is evidence that the drink reduces the risk of malignant diseases of the mouth, pharynx and larynx, basal cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) in men and women, and melanoma in women.
Researchers note that the reason for the protective effect of coffee is not yet fully understood.
Hundreds of biologically active compounds such as caffeine, flavonoids, lignans and other polyphenols are found in roasted coffee. They, like other compounds in the beverage, have been found to increase energy expenditure, suppress cell damage, and regulate genes with a role in DNA repair. , have anti-inflammatory properties and / or prevent metastases.
Types of cancer that can be avoided with coffee consumption
- Breast cancer: Coffee decreases the risk of the disease by altering the metabolism of some female hormones, preventing negative estrogens from developing. Women who drink coffee are 57% less likely to develop breast cancer.
- Skin cancer: Drinking reduces the risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. The studies were released in the American Journal of the National Cancer Institute and show that people who drink about 3 cups a day reduce the risk of developing the disease by 20%.
- Prostate cancer: “The more coffee, the better!” was the phrase used to publicize the Harvard Public School study in the United States, which proves that men who drink coffee reduce about 20% chance of suffering from any type of prostate cancer. According to scholars, the effects are the same for decaffeinated drinks, proving that the benefit of coffee is associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Colon cancer: In this case, coffee reduces the likelihood of the disease coming back in patients who have already had the cancer and have completed treatment. According to researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Center in Boston, people who drank four or more cups of coffee every day had a benefit against advancing the tumor. These patients were 42% less likely to return from cancer than those who did not drink coffee and had 33% less risk of dying from cancer or any other cause.
Attention to temperature. Very hot drinks can cause tumors
The WHO, after removing coffee from the list of cancerous foods, reported that drinks with temperatures above 65 degrees can cause tumors: The results show that drinking very hot drinks probably causes cancer in the esophagus and that is the temperature, not the drinks themselves, the ones that seem to be responsible for this. You should know first, how do carcinogens cause cancer?
With practically 0% calories, coffee is an excellent drink for those who want to maintain a healthy life. In addition, it is rich in minerals such as phosphorus, manganese and magnesium, helping to keep the body healthy and away from the action of free radicals.