- Make It Yourself Lavender Heart-Shaped Bath Bombs!
- 20 Things You Never Knew About “Down There”
- 12 Best Foods For Those Suffering From Arthritis Pain
- 12 Personal Hygiene Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes (Mom Never Told You About #4!)
- 15 Medicinal Plants And Herbs From The Cherokee People
- 12 Mind-Blowing Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
- 12 Outstanding Winter Foods That Won’t Fatten You Up Like A Christmas Turkey
Coffee Might Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk
Photo credit: bigstock.com
Coffee is known to have many benefits that relate to our lives. We use it to stay alert and focused throughout the day. However, we have yet to fully understand many of coffee’s benefits that have been coming up on a regular basis.
One such benefit of coffee is that it can help to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. This, in turn, helps you to stay healthy and makes you less likely to struggle with this harmful condition. The British Journal of Cancer has particularly been responsible for publishing information about how coffee can help reduce your risk for the disease.
What the Study Says
The British Journal of Cancer recently had more than 200 women participate in a study relating to breast cancer and key factors for developing it. Much of the study entailed a look at women who carried a particular gene that was linked to breast cancer and how estrogen is metabolized within the body.
The study found that women who had three or more cups of coffee in a day would have smaller breasts than those who did not. This is important, as breast size may be a key part of what causes breast cancer. Those who have larger breasts are more likely to contract this condition.
This is particularly true for women who have the CYP1A2*1F gene, which is believed to be a critical factor for breast cancer. The study concludes that coffee is related to smaller breast sizes, and it supports the belief that coffee can protect the body against breast cancer.
This does not mean that coffee consumption is going to directly impact your breast size. It simply means that the ways particular genes in your body are expressed can change. Much of this is designed to curb how breast cancer is formed, as your CYP1A2*1F gene, if you have it, will not be expressed as much as it normally might.
Continue to Page 2
Photo credit: bigstock.com
Can the Risk Increase?
The good news is that caffeine consumption, particularly from the use of coffee, will not cause you to be at risk of developing breast cancer any more than you already are. It can only reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, not increase it.
A higher consumption of coffee is generally needed in order to reduce your breast cancer risk. However, this can be limited to about four to six cups of coffee a day. This is a typical rate of consumption for many people and should be safe to handle.
How Menopause Impacts the Condition
Studies suggest that there is a link between coffee consumption and the prevention of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Various studies conducted throughout Europe have found that the impact of coffee may be positive. In 2011, a Breast Cancer Research study found that women who drink at least five cups of coffee a day are at least a third less likely to develop breast cancer after menopause.
Specifically, women are less likely to develop hormone-receptor-negative forms of breast cancer. This is a form of the condition where cancer cells do not have receptors for estrogen or progesterone. These tend to be stronger and harder to treat than other forms of breast cancer. Further work has to be done to see if coffee consumption can prevent all forms of breast cancer, but it can at least control how the most significant and dangerous form of breast cancer may develop.
Meanwhile, studies have similar things to say about pre-menopausal women. Women who consume coffee on a regular basis before menopause will have a dramatically reduced risk of developing breast cancer. Specifically, those who have about four to six cups a day will be at least a third less likely to contract breast cancer.
The benefits listed here are for regular coffee. The same health benefits have not been observed in those who consume decaffeinated coffee instead.
Continue to Page 3
Photo credit: bigstock.com
What About Other Cancers?
Coffee may also help prevent liver cancer. It has been suggested that coffee can help stimulate the liver’s healthy tissues, thus making it easier for the liver to manage the toxins and wastes that go through the body. When used properly, this will improve the body’s responses to cancer cells in the liver. Coffee consumption can also prevent diabetes, a risk factor for liver cancer.
Concern Over Coffee
While it’s clear the coffee can indeed reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, you have to be careful when it comes to your consumption. Excess coffee consumption can disrupt your natural sleeping habits. It can even cause you to develop fatigue. You must be very careful when consuming coffee so you will not be at risk of harming your body as a result.
In addition, those who have the CYP1A2*1F genetic variant will be at risk of myocardial infarctions. This means that the body could be more likely to develop heart issues.
READ ALSO: Best Diet for the Prevention of Breast Cancer
Other Factors?
While it is true that the studies above say that you can become less likely to develop breast cancer after drinking enough coffee on a regular basis, some of these studies could have established some additional criteria. Exercise and dietary habits are important factors that were not considered. It is recommended that you stick with a healthy diet and exercise routine while also consuming coffee if you truly want to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
References:
