Findings of a recent study showed that daily drinking at least four cups of coffee, such as freshly brewed lattes of cappuccinos, could be a quite effective treatment for preventing colon cancer from recurring. This adds to the list of health benefits of drinking the popular high-antioxidant caffeinated beverage, which could include energy and memory boosts, a healthy heart, and lower risks of type 2 diabetes and other types of cancers.
The study's results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. It was conducted by the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Researchers tracked around 1,000 people who had colon cancer (stage 3) that had only spread to the lymph nodes (small bean-shaped glands). The subjects all had chemotherapy and surgery, and maintained logs of their daily diets and exercise sessions.
Based on the study's results, there was a 42 percent less likelihood of the colon cancer returning when the volunteers drank at least four cups of coffee per day, according to The Week. They were also one-third less likely to pass away during the study period for any reason, including their cancer.
Drinking two or three cups was also beneficial, but the results were more moderate. In addition, health benefits did not result from decaf brews, according to Boston.
However, Dr. Charles Fuches explained that some caffeinated beverages have more health benefits than others. He told NBC News that drinking at least two sugar-sweetened drinks resulted in worse results. A follow-up study will ask the subjects if they added sugar or milk to their cups of java.
Previous coffee studies have shown that drinking the beverage can lower the risks of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and some cancers. It could be the result of antioxidants in the beverage or microorganisms in human stomachs.
Fuchs noted that in some patients the colon cancer will recur regardless of which treatments and drugs they receive. However, researchers wanted to learn how diets and lifestyles could lower that risk.
His research team noted that coffee's ability to lower the patients' risk of disease and death was "entirely" related to its caffeine. Future research will determine the reason.
This video explains the health effects of drinking coffee: