Regularly Drinking Coffee Decreases the Likelihood of Developing This Cancer
Since coffee is one of my morning rituals, I’m constantly reading up on its benefits. I’m always glad to learn something new about the perks of a cup of joe, especially because I drink it every day!
From reducing fatty liver disease risk to helping with weight loss, coffee has been shown to improve our health in numerous ways. My most recent trip down the rabbit hole led me to some exciting new research, which suggests that coffee helps lower endometrial cancer risk.
What is endometrial cancer?
As explained by the American Cancer Society (ACS), endometrial cancer occurs when the cells in the inner lining of the uterus (also called the endometrium) begin to grow beyond control.
Annual statistics show that endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs among postmenopausal women. Also, the ACS estimates that 65,950 new cases will be diagnosed in the US this year.
Is coffee good for endometrial cancer?
Coffee is an antioxidant-packed drink that helps combat chronic health conditions such as liver cancer and heart disease. As such, researchers from the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University in Weifang, China wanted to see whether coffee had a positive effect on endometrial cancer risk.
The researchers therefore conducted a review of studies, which was recently published in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. In total, the team looked at 24 studies discussing the association of coffee intake with this cancer that included 699,234 participants and 9,833 cases of endometrial cancer.
Ultimately, the authors found a link between regular coffee intake and a lower chance of developing this cancer. But why would this warm brew have a protective effect against the disease? The researchers point out that coffee is full of bioactive components such as phenolic compounds. These compounds provide an anti-carcinogenic effect, which means inhibiting the activity of tumors and the development of cancer.
In addition, the researchers note that this benefit applies mainly to caffeinated coffees rather than decaf varieties. Furthermore, the coffee’s brewing method (filtered or boiled) doesn’t seem to play a factor in further decreasing endometrial cancer risk. To sum it up, coffee lovers who drink all kinds of caffeinated brews can rejoice, thanks to this exciting research.
How many cups of coffee should you drink a day?
Previous studies suggest that drinking three to four cups of coffee a day helps you reap the benefits of this drink. Unless you drink your coffee black, however, you may want to avoid adding artificial sweeteners that can cause other health hassles like fatigue and joint pain.
Instead, try going for ingredients like cocoa powder for a metabolism boost or ground cinnamon to lower diabetes and heart disease risk. For those with a daring palate, sprinkle in salt or hot sauce into your brew for a nutritious and flavorful twist. You can also swap traditional dairy creamers for oat milk — this yummy alternative helps fight bone loss, skin aging, and protects heart health.
After discovering this new study, I’m happy to know that coffee helps prevent endometrial cancer. In fact, I’m going to get a head start on brewing my third cup for the day!
