Alice RD
You can relax with that second cup of joe and not worry about an increased risk of cancer, but your doctor may not have heard that message.
AICR/WCRF expert report found no link between coffee consumption and cancer, and subsequent studies have reinforced that finding.
Although research has quelled fears about a coffee-cancer link many people are still unaware of that fact. In fact, slightly more than one-third of health professionals thought coffee was linked to cancer, according to a survey conducted by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
This study was done in the UK, so we don’t know if similar results would be found in the U.S.
U.S. coffee drinkers need to keep in mind that additions such as whipped cream, syrups and other sweeteners pack in the calories. If regularly consumed, those extra calories can lead to overweight and obesity, which is a cause of cancer. And, if you have sleep difficulties, heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you should limit coffee.
Since coffee may offer health benefits due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds it contains, if you don’t have reason to avoid it, go ahead and enjoy that second cup. Just keep it simple – plain – or with a little skim or lowfat milk.
