More Than 3 Cups of Coffee Per Day Lowers Prostate Cancer Risk

Another typical component of the Italian way of life would add to the already long list of items that help make the Italian one of the most "healthy people" in the world. This time it's the coffee.Research conducted by the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention of the IRCCS Neuromed in Pozzilli in collaboration with the ' Institute of Health and ' Dermopatico IRCCS Istituto Immacolata of Rome, shows how popular drink if consumed more than three times a day, can lower the risk of getting prostate cancer. And given the antitumor action of coffee, it is also confirmed in the laboratory.

The study, published in the journal International Journal of Cancer, aims to shed light on a field still hotly debated to this day: the coffee role in relation to prostate cancer and, specifically, the action of caffeine. Some recent studies, both English and American, have suggested a protective effect of the popular drink

"Over the recent years have been a number of international studies - explains George Pounis, a greek researcher at Neuromed and first author of the work - but the available scientific evidence was considered insufficient to draw conclusions, and in some cases , he results seemed contradictory. Our goal, as well, was to increase knowledge so as to provide a clearer view. "

The scientific work on the observation, which lasted four years on average, about seven thousand residents in Molise and participants in the epidemiological study Moli-sani . "By analyzing the habits related to coffee consumption - explains Pounis - and comparing them with cases of prostate cancer that have occurred over time, we could highlight a net reduction of risk, 53% in those who drank more than three cups a day. "

At this point, the researchers sought confirmation by testing the action of coffee extracts of prostate cancer cells grown in the laboratory. They have proved, in particular, both extracts containing caffeine decaffeinated. Just the first showed the ability to significantly reduce the proliferation of cancerous cells and their ability to metastasize. An effect that largely disappears with decaf.

"The laboratory observations - says Maria Benedetta Donati , Head of the Laboratory of Translational Medicine - allow us to say that the beneficial effect observed among the seven participants is most likely due to its caffeine, rather than the many other substances contained in the coffee" .

"We need to keep in mind - says Licia Iacoviello , head of the Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory and Nutritional - that the study covers a population of Molise, which then rigorously prepared Italian coffee drinks, ie with high pressure, very high temperature of the water and without the use of filters. This method, different from those followed in other areas of the world, could lead to a higher concentration of bioactive substances. It will be very interesting to deepen this aspect. Coffee is an integral part of Italian style food, which, remember, is not just individual foods, but also the specific way to prepare them. "

This article has been republished from materials provided by IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

Reference

Pounis, G., Tabolacci, C., Costanzo, S., Cordella, M., Bonaccio, M., Rago, L., . . . Facchiano, F. (2017). Reduction by coffee consumption of prostate cancer risk: Evidence from the Moli-sani cohort and cellular models. International Journal of Cancer. doi:10.1002/ijc.30720