In recent years, a series of studies have been published suggesting a protective effect of coffee against the risk of suffering from prostate cancer . Now, a team of researchers from Italy, the coffee country par excellence, has brought to light a new study that seems to confirm this theory.
“There are already several publications about it,” explains George Pounis, one of the authors. “But it is not yet considered that there is sufficient scientific evidence to draw conclusions and, in addition, in many cases the results have been contradictory. That is why we have tried to contribute our grain of sand and provide a clearer vision.”
The scientists recruited about 7,000 men from Molise, a region of Italy, and analyzed their customs and health over four years. “We studied their habits in terms of coffee consumption, and then we compared them with the incidence of prostate cancer. We observed a reduction in risk of 53% for those who drank more than three cups a day, ” explains the researcher.
Chance? It is true that many factors that do not really have a cause-effect relationship can appear correlated when applying a statistical analysis. For this reason, the authors of the work, which is published in the International Journal of Cancer , did an extra test that consisted of applying coffee extracts to cells affected by prostate cancer.
In particular, they tested extracts containing caffeine with other decaffeinated products, and found that only the former significantly reduced the proliferation of cancer cells, as well as their ability to metastasize . An effect that was not manifested with decaffeinated coffee . “These observations allow us to affirm that the beneficial effect observed in the participants is probably due to caffeine and not to other substances in coffee,” says Maria Benedetta, another of the researchers.
Maybe not just any coffee
Another factor to take into account is the profile of the chosen population, something not trivial. “The study has been carried out with inhabitants of central Italy, and Italians are very rigorous when preparing coffee: high pressure, high water temperature and without filters, ” explains Licia Lacoviello, one of the authors. “This method, different from those used in other parts of the world, could lead to a higher concentration of bioactive substances and it will be very interesting to explore this aspect. It is not a specific question of a specific food, but also of the way in which it is that this is elaborate. “
Does this mean that men who don’t drink coffee should start taking it as a preventive measure against prostate cancer ? Absolutely. Health studies require many repetitions and clinical trials before anything can be categorically stated. Furthermore, despite its potential benefits in preventing cancer, there are also known adverse effects from the abuse of coffee and other stimulant beverages. This work, like many others with similar characteristics, helps scientists to continue deepening their understanding of the evolution of diseases and, who knows, perhaps to develop new therapeutic techniques that are more effective in their prevention and treatment.
