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A Cup (or Four) of Coffee a Day May Keep Oral Cancer Away

Your daily cup of coffee gets another refill of good benefits. Apart from satisfying your breakfast cravings and helping you stay awake, coffee can cut the risk of dying from oral and throat cancer, according to research.

The study, reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology, followed over 968,000 older men and women for 26 years. The results showed that those who drank four or more cups of coffee per day are less prone to dying of oral cancer. This link remained true even when the researchers considered alcohol use and smoking habits.

More details concerning the study

At the beginning of the study, all participants were cancer-free. During the 26-year duration of the study, 868 of the participants died from throat or oral cancers. The researchers considered the men and women’s coffee-drinking habits and found the link between coffee-drinking and reduced cancer risks.

More than 97% of the participants drank coffee every day with more than 60% drinking at least a cup. Those who drank regularly reported having three cups a day.

How coffee can protect you from oral cancer

Researchers still do not clearly understand the mechanism, but confirm that coffee contains a number of biologically active components. Most of these compounds possess anti-cancer properties, which lowers your risk for the disease. The findings reported that coffee possesses a multitude of health-boosting ingredients capable of shielding the body from cancerous tumours.

The study’s researchers, however, cannot be sure whether coffee lowers the risk of cancer or improves the patient’s odds of surviving the disease. The study focused only on deaths and not the diagnosis. Lead author Janet Hildebrand does not advise people to increase their regular coffee intake. Coffee might provoke other conditions due to caffeine overdose.

What it means for coffee drinkers

Coffee drinkers with no adverse reaction to this drink can keep it as a part of their regular diet. The study also shows that coffee is best consumed in its natural state. Decaffeinated coffee does not possess the same benefits or antioxidants to protect you from the risks of oral cancer.

While coffee is no magic potion that eradicates cancer, it can be a part of your diet as a good beverage choice.

Stay safe from oral cancer with a healthy diet and some professional care. Parbold Dental Practice is here to help. Get in touch with us now.