America is known for running on coffee. And now a new study says that this might have a great benefit for women. What could that be?

CBS news reports on an interesting study showing that coffee could help reduce women’s risk of getting endometrial cancer. Getting a good pick me up is not your only reason for drinking coffee anymore.

How was the study conducted?

The researchers used data on more than 456,000 women from two large ongoing studies. Experts evaluated the dietary habits of more than 2,800 women diagnosed with cancer of the endometrium, which is the lining of a woman’s uterus.

There is one trial that concluded that 37 ounces of coffee daily decreased endometrial cancer risk by 18 percent. The other trial found a similar reduction associated with 26 ounces a day. This new study was published in the February edition of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

What were the results?

When compared to women who drank less than a cup a day, people who drank around four cups daily had an 18 percent lower threat of getting this cancer, according to the research.

The study’s lead author is Dr. Merritt from Imperial College London in England. She said,

“We were not surprised by the results that a high versus low intake of coffee was associated with a reduced risk for endometrial cancer, because they were consistent with what has been observed in previous studies. We used similar methods to investigate the association between coffee intake and endometrial cancer as previous studies. This is important so we can compare results across different studies.”

She also said, “For most other dietary factors, there was no consistent association with endometrial cancer risk.” Her team evaluated 84 foods and nutrients.

The experts found a connection, but not a cause-and-effect relationship, between drinking coffee and lower risk of endometrial cancer. Also the study did not differentiate between decaffeinated or regular coffee, so Dr. Merritt said she couldn’t comment on whether one is more beneficial than the other.

“The researchers also can't say for sure why coffee may lower the cancer risk. However, one possibility is that coffee reduces estrogen levels in the body, changing the balance of hormones, Merritt said. If the balance between estrogen and progesterone shifts and leans more toward estrogen, the risk of endometrial cancer rises, according to the American Cancer Society. Other risk factors for endometrial cancer include being overweight and having an early start to periods (before age 12) and a late menopause. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51,” according to CBS news.

Around 55,000 new cases of endometrial cancer are probably occurring this year in the United States, the cancer society finds, and about 10,000 women will expire from it. Dr. Morgan is a professor of medical oncology at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in California. Morgan said the new study is validating other studies showing coffee has an advantageous effect in reducing endometrial cancer. Morgan was not a part of the new research.

Moran also said,

“However, some studies published recently have not found a link, so he believes that "the jury is still out. He also said the possible link can't be explained, but said some experts point to the antioxidants in coffee. Antioxidants are believed to prevent or slow cell damage. It's probably not just the caffeine, since other caffeine-containing foods such as chocolate have not been linked with lower endometrial cancer risk.”

 

Gerry Oginski
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