Caffeine: Health Perks And Pitfalls
Do you need a daily dose of caffeine for your healths sake?
Caffeine is everywhere. You sip it in your morning coffee, slurp it from your afternoon tea and nibble it when you eat a bit of chocolate after dinner.
You already know caffeine can help you stay alert and awake.
But apart from perking you up, some caffeine sources have been linked to major health benefits, including:
- Protection from basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer
- Lower risks for oral cancer and endometrial cancer
- Reduced risk for Parkinsons disease in men
- Less weight gain over time and protection from diabetes
So, do you need a daily dose of caffeine for your healths sake?
More research is needed
While some research has linked caffeine sources to some big benefits, our experts say the jury is still out.
Theres some evidence that coffee or tea may be beneficial for weight management and lowering your disease risk, but whether thats because of caffeine is not clear, says Wenli Liu, M.D., associate professor in Internal Medicine at MD Anderson.
Its possible, says Liu, that the antioxidants and other compounds in coffee and tea could explain the drinks health benefits.
The takeaway: Most studies linking coffee or tea to major health benefits arent conclusive and caffeines role is uncertain.
Caffeine can cause problems
We know for certain that caffeine in high amounts can cause heart palpitations and arrhythmias, Liu says. It also can worsen stomach ulcers.
Caffeine isnt magic
Why Eating Yogurt May Help Lessen The Risk Of Breast Cancer
- Date:
- Lancaster University
- Summary:
- One of the causes of breast cancer may be inflammation triggered by harmful bacteria suggest researchers. Scientists advise consuming natural yogurt, which contains beneficial bacteria which dampens inflammation and which is similar to the bacteria found in breastfeeding mothers. Their suggestion is that this bacteria is protective because breast feeding reduces the risk of breast cancer. The consumption of yogurt is also associated with a reduction in the risk of breast cancer.
One of the causes of breast cancer may be inflammation triggered by harmful bacteria say researchers.
Scientists say their idea- as yet unproven — is supported by the available evidence, which is that bacterial induced inflammation is linked to cancer.
The paper in the journal Medical Hypotheses is by Lancaster University medical student Auday Marwaha, Professor Jim Morris from the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust and Dr Rachael Rigby from Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine.
The researchers say that: “There is a simple, inexpensive potential preventive remedy which is for women to consume natural yoghurt on a daily basis.”
Yoghurt contains beneficial lactose fermenting bacteria commonly found in milk, similar to the bacteria — or microflora- found in the breasts of mothers who have breastfed.
Dr Rigby said: “We now know that breast milk is not sterile and that lactation alters the microflora of the breast.
Story Source:
Why Is This Study Important
Many people regularly drink coffee and tea. This study finds that these beverages are not harmful and may be linked to a lower risk of death after a breast cancer diagnosis. For breast cancer survivors who are concerned with how diet affects their chance of cancer returning, this study adds some clarity to one part of daily life.
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Is There Any Amount Of Alcohol That Is Safe To Drink During Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can be taxing on the liver. Alcohol is processed by the liver. For this reason, some oncologists recommend completely avoiding alcohol during treatment.
If you have a special occasion, party, or event and want to enjoy a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail, check with your oncologist to make sure its OK.
Suzanne Dixon is a registered dietitian, epidemiologist, and medical writer.
Is Coffee Bad For Cancer Patients
Surviving a battle with cancer is one of the toughest experiences a person can endure. Not only does the disease come with a wide array of difficult or even debilitating symptoms, but the side effects of cancers treatments can be almost as damaging as the disease itself. Still, many people win their fight with this deadly ailment, though doing so often requires making a number of lifestyle adjustments. One change patients must sometimes make is limiting or stopping their consumption of coffee, which can sometimes be a tough task, given how many people enjoy this ubiquitous beverage. If you or someone you know was diagnosed with cancer, you might be wondering, Is coffee bad for cancer patients? To find out, keep reading as the team at ENU maker of nutrition shakes for cancer patients answer this important question.
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Foods That May Lower Breast Cancer Risk
Keep in mind that many factors are associated with breast cancer development. While improving your diet can improve your overall health and reduce your cancer risk in general, its only one piece of the puzzle.
Even with a healthy diet, you still need regular breast cancer screenings like mammograms and manual checks. After all, early detection and diagnosis significantly increase survival rates. Talk to your healthcare provider for advice about breast cancer screenings.
All the same, research suggests that these foods may lower your risk of this disease.
Best 6 Types Of Cancer
Ask any expert, What are the best ways to fight cancer?, and youll likely be told advice such as to eat a healthy diet, exercise and avoid smoking.
Youre probably aware of the protective effects that certain cancer-fighting foods, such leafy greens and berries for examples, can have on your immune system and overall health. Heres more good news: Some of the most widely consumed beverages in the world have also been shown to be cancer-fighting drinks.
Organizations like the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend including drinks in your diet that provide vitamins and phytonutrients that have demonstrated anti-cancer effects. What are some examples? Coffee, green tea, red wine, and 100 percent vegetable and fruit juices are among the best choices.
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Risks And Side Effects
Just like there are some beverages and foods that can help to fight disease development, research tells us there are also potentially cancer-causing foods to avoid.
Which drinks should you limit or ideally cut out from your diet?
- Sugary drinks, including soda, energy drinks and juices, teas and coffee drinks with added sugar. Research has revealed a strong link between sugary drink consumption and risk for heart disease, obesity and diabetes, and now ongoing research is suggesting that these beverages can also put you at greater risk for certain cancers such as breast, pancreas, gallbladder and endometrial cancer. Its believed this connection is due to mechanisms such as insulin resistance caused by consumption of a high glycemic load, as well as the effects of chemical compounds, additives and pesticides in sugary drinks which may have carcinogenic effects.
- Alcohol in excess. While wine in moderation have protective effects against certain diseases, too much seems to do the opposite. High alcohol intake increases the risk of certain types of cancer development according to research studies, including colon/rectum, oral, liver, breast and other cancers.
Drinks That Fight Cancer
What can you drink to prevent cancer? According to the latest research findings, beverages that should be included in a cancer-fighting diet include:
1. Coffee
While the caffeine is coffee isnt well-tolerated by some people, nutrition-rich coffee is also a concentrated source of antioxidant phytochemicals. These include theophylline and theobromine, chlorogenic acid , quinic acid, cafestol and kahweol.
Certain studies have linked coffee consumption with reduced risk of liver, colorectal, endometrial, oral/pharyngeal and other cancers.
And although some worry about the negative effects of caffeine/coffee on digestive health, theres overall no evidence suggesting an association of coffee intake with cancers of the stomach, pancreas or GI cancers.
2. Green, Black and White Teas
Black, green, white and also oolong teas are rich in many disease-fighting nutrients, such as catechins, polyphenol compounds, epigallocatechin gallate , flavonols and more. Researchers believe this to be the reason that long-term tea consumption is linked with lower risks for bladder, stomach and pancreatic cancers, among other types.
Matcha green tea is another great option, since its rich in antioxidants that give it the ability to support the immune system. Lab studies have linked both types of green teas with reduced development of cancer in colon, liver, breast, lung and prostate cells.
3. 100 Percent Vegetable Juices
4. 100 Percent Fruit Juices
5. Herbal Teas and Infusions
6. Red Wine
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Coffee Cuts Risk Of Liver Cancer
Research has found that regular coffee consumption can reduce the risk of liver cancer by 40 percent. In fact, the study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that people who consume more than three cups of coffee per day reduce their risk by more than 50 percent.4
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of data collected between 1996 and 2012 and then selected 16 studies that involved a total of 3,153 liver cancer cases. They included data on 900 more recent cases of HCC published since their last detailed study from 2007.5
They found that individuals who consume any amount of coffee have a 40 percent reduced risk of HCC compared to those who drink no coffee. Whats more, the higher the consumption, the more the risk was reduced. Those who drank more than three cups per day had a 50 percent or more reduced risk. The association between coffee and reduced risk was consistent regardless of gender, alcohol consumption, or history of hepatitis or liver disease.
The researchers concluded that coffee appears to reduce the risk of liver cancer. They speculate that it might affect liver enzymes and the development of cirrhosis and therefore, could protect against liver cancer.
Preparation Methods Of Coffee And Tea Are Also Contradictory
Not only do results on the effect of coffee on breast cancer risk vary with age, menopausal status, and more, but the method by which it’s prepared adds another variable. A 2019 study on Chinese women in Hong Kong found that consuming coffee products did not increase the risk of breast cancer.
When broken down by preparation methods, however, there were significant differences. Women who drank brewed coffee, for instance, were, on average, 52%less likely to develop breast cancer. In contrast, those who drank instant coffee were 50% more likely to develop the disease.
Just as proper preparation of green tea is essential to obtain the phytonutrients present, the way coffee is prepared could easily affect the nutrients present.
There are many factors at play when it comes to the relationship between coffee and breast cancer. Hormone therapy and other risk factors play a far stronger role on the risk of breast cancer than coffee does.
Read Also: Is Breast Cancer Curable
There Is Conflicting Information On The Benefits Of Juicing Especially For People Who Are Immunocompromised Because There Seems To Be A Lot Of Sugar In Products That Come From Juicing Is It Ok For Someone On Chemotherapy Would Smoothies Be Better Since They Include More Fiber
Juicing can be a great way to get more vitamins, minerals, and plant-based nutrients into your diet. Juicing should be used to add servings of fruit and vegetables to an already-healthy diet.
Before trying juicing, focus on eating five servings of whole vegetables and fruit daily. Once you meet this goal, juicing can be added into the mix.
If you are in active treatment and have lost a lot of weight, juicing may be a good option for getting valuable nutrients into your body without displacing high protein and calorie-dense foods.
You also may want to consider blending your vegetables and fruits to make healthy smoothies. Unlike juicing, blending foods into a smoothie means you get fiber.
If you do want to try juicing, the following tips will help you make the most of these beverages without overdoing it on the sugar.
Caffeinated Coffee May Reduce The Risk Of Cancers Of The Oral Cavity
Head and neck cancers originate in the tissues in or around the mouth, nose, and throat. Risk factors for head and neck cancer include smoking, alcohol consumption, and infection with high-risk types of human papilloma virus .
To evaluate the relationship between coffee and tea consumption and risk of head and neck cancer, researchers combined information from previous studies. These studies included a total of 5,139 people with cancer and 9,028 people without cancer.
- Compared with people who didnt drink coffee, people who drank four or more cups of caffeinated coffee per day were 39% less likely to have cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx. Caffeinated coffee did not affect risk of laryngeal cancer.
- Consumption of decaffeinated coffee was less common, and the effects on head and neck cancer risk remain uncertain.
- Tea intake did not affect risk of head and neck cancer.
These results do not conclusively prove that coffee reduces the risk of head and neck cancer. Factors other than coffee intake could explain the difference in cancer risk. Nevertheless, if confirmed, these results suggest that coffee may provide a benefit.10
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Estrogens And Breast Cancer
Although you can drink milk if you have cancer, commercially produced milk may be a cause for concern. According to an article in the December 2006 issue of “The Harvard University Gazette,” mass producers of milk keep the cows pregnant for most of the year to ensure a high milk production. High quantities of estrogen from the pregnant cows pass into the milk. As there is a link between high estrogen levels and breast cancer, breast cancer patients may want to avoid mass-produced milk. Organic milk may contain less estrogen.
The American Cancer Society Recommends Eating Extra Protein After Chemotherapy To Help Heal Tissues And Fight Infection Is There A Recommended Amount What About People Who Are Vegetarian/vegan Can Plant Protein Shakes Work For Them
During cancer treatment, aim for at least 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, aim for at least 90 grams of protein every day.
If you have other medical issues, such as kidney or liver disease, you may need less protein. Ask your doctor or dietitian for guidance on meeting protein needs if you have chronic conditions that may affect protein needs.
Vegetarians and vegans can meet protein needs with plant foods. Plant protein shakes are one good option. These products can fill in the protein gaps for people who do not eat meat, chicken, fish, dairy or eggs. Greek yogurt and eggs are good protein sources for vegetarians. Vegans should focus on beans, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, and seeds.
Read Also: Breast Cancer Mayo
What Are Antioxidants And Phytochemicals
Researchers say that its not just the vitamins and minerals alone that help protect against cancer. Its also the special forms of vitamins and minerals in foods or their combination with other substances in foods.
Its best to choose whole foods, rather than take vitamin and mineral supplements.
Antioxidants are chemical substances found naturally in many foods. Certain vitamins and minerals found in many foods, especially vegetables and fruit, act as antioxidants. Some types of antioxidants are:
- vitamin A
- selenium
Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in plants. All vegetables and fruit and many grains contain phytochemicals. They are what give vegetables and fruit their vibrant colours. Some phytochemicals act like antioxidants. Some types of phytochemicals are:
- carotenoids
- flavonoids
- isoflavones
Antioxidants protect the bodys cells and tissues from free radicals, which are made when our bodies use oxygen. Free radicals can damage cells, which may lead to cancer. Antioxidants are thought to help protect cells by removing free radicals before they cause damage.
Phytochemicals may help reduce the risk of cancer, but there is still a lot to learn about the activity of phytochemicals and their protective effects.
The best way to benefit from different antioxidants and phytochemicals is to eat a variety of vegetables, fruit and grains each day.
Coffee May Cut Uterine Cancer Risk
Coffee consumption may reduce the incidence of uterine cancer, especially among overweight and obese women, according to the results of a study published in the International Journal of Cancer.11
Researchers continue to evaluate the link between dietary intake and cancer. Several studies have shown a reduced risk of uterine cancer associated with coffee consumption.11-14 Although the reasons for this are unclear, some evidence suggests that coffee consumption may lower insulin resistance, which has been associated with uterine cancer.
Researchers used data from the Swedish Mammography Cohort, which was a population-based cohort study that involved 60,634 women who were followed for an average of 17.6 years. During that time, 677 women were diagnosed with uterine cancer. The women self reported their coffee consumption at baseline and then again in 1997.
Each additional cup of coffee per day was associated with a 10% reduction in the risk of developing uterine cancer. Interestingly, the association appeared to be related to body mass index, as it was confined to women who were overweight or obese. Each additional cup of coffee resulted in a 12% risk reduction in overweight women and a 20% risk reduction in obese women.
The researchers concluded that coffee consumption might decrease the risk of uterine cancer, especially among women who are overweight or obese.
References:
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Coffee: Health Benefits And Risks
Coffee contains a variety of nutrients and acts as a stimulant. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system to increase alertness, memory, concentration, and physical performance.
Coffee is a low-calorie beverage when drank by itself, with fewer than 5 calories per 8-ounce cup. In addition to caffeine, coffee also provides:
- Polyphenols
- Niacin