Poll: Coffee Lowers Brain Cancer Risk
Coffee has been getting a lot of good press lately, but most of the research has pointed to the antioxidants in the bean as the health promoting property.
However, a new study from Imperial College, London suggests that caffeine is a magic bullet that reduces brain cancer risk by 40%.
The study published in the the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers And Prevention, looked at the caffeine drinking habits of 300 patients diagnosed with glioma (a cancer that starts in the brain) and the caffeine habits of those without glioma.
They concluded that those who consumed 5 or more coffees or teas a day had a 40% less chance of developing the brain cancer. They aren't sure why, but they theorize that the caffeine restricts blood flow to the brain which inhibits cancer cells from developing as they need high oxygen and nutrient levels to flourish. Decaffeinated coffee and tea did not have the same effect.
I think more research would be needed to make solid conclusions here, but it does look interesting. Also to compare coffee and tea as though they were equal doesn't make sense as you would have to consume at least double the tea to equal the caffeine content of coffee.
What about you, will you take this study to heart?
How many cups of coffee or tea do you drink a day?
excellent topic
thanks
ReplyInteresting study. I don't drink coffee or tea. Just plain water. I agree that there should be more such studies...maybe we'll see some side effects (high blood pressure?)...5 coups of coffee/day seems like a lot...
ReplyInteresting, and I'm sure I read something about Alzheimers as well that was along a similiar line. As for any risk of high blood pressure - "Evidence has repeatedly shown that consumption of caffeine does not increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease or heart attack. One very well-known study examined more than 85,000 women over a ten-year period and found that there was no increased risk of these diseases, even in women who drank more than six cups of coffee per day. The Joint National Committee on Hypertension has specifically stated that there is no evidence linking coffee/tea and high blood pressure." from http://highbloodpressure.about.com/od/prevention/a/caffeine.htm
ReplyAlways good to wait for more research as we always find out something different down the line!
ReplyThe more research they do, the more they realize that coffee is pretty good for you. I most definitely think it helps your brain...I am always more alert, focused, and on-task after my cuppa joe. Experts actually say that the Industrial Revolution in Europe was only possible because of coffee. Before Europeans had coffee, they would drink beer or wine and were almost always in a slightly drunken state. Once they discovered coffee, they were able to get a LOT more done in a day.
ReplySpectra,
Replylol, that makes complete sense, doesn't it? Apparently, bear soup was replaced by morning coffee at this time.