Choice coffee as cancer prevention

Caffeine, acids, polysaccharides, lipids, vitamins, minerals... the coffee bean contains a multitude of substances that we then consume in the form of our favourite fragrant liquid. These components of coffee then have a specific effect on our organism. Through detailed research and tests, we are gradually discovering the effects of coffee on our health. A considerable number of studies prove thatcoffee does not only fight fatigue in our body, but that it brings many benefits to our health.

INCURABLE CANCERS

Doctors today are able to perform miracles and cure or at least stabilize once very serious and fatal diseases. Despite all the progress, we still cannot cure everything and more often than not such diseases are caused by our unhealthy lifestyle. The most common causes of death nowadays are cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

HOW TUMOURS ARE FORMED

Cancer, as one of the most common fatal diseases, is caused by the uncontrollable multiplication of cells of any organ in our body. Such cancerous cells give rise to tumours, which then disable individual organs or, by their growth, essentially suck the life out of the body.

If these damaged cancer cells are encapsulated, they can be benign. A circumscribed tumouris formed which can be surgically removed. If the diseased cells spread from the tumour through the blood or lymphatic system, they will spread throughout the body and can infect any other organ, other cells. Such tumours are malignant, are difficult to stop and may end in the death of the patient.

FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER

In general, age, heredity, obesity, lifestyle and environmentare responsible for the development of cancer. We can minimize most of these contributing factors by behaving sensibly and respecting nature and our own health.

The basis of prevention against almost any disease is a healthy diet, regular exercise and stress reduction. We should also follow basic ecological principles, such as avoiding wasting water, electricity, food, well... basically anything to at least reduce our own negative impact on the environment.

ANTI-CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS OF COFFEE

Unfortunately, we cannot yet significantly influence genetics and aging. Although coffee could help in this respect. Itcontains antioxidants and other anticarcinogenic substances that can act as a preventive measureagainst cancer.

OXIDANTS IN OUR BODY

Every day and every minute, a number of vital activities take place in our bodies. Anatural part of the body's ongoing metabolic processes is the production of oxidants. These are a side effect of these metabolic transformations. Just as our metabolism works continuously - respiration, digestion, energy production, etc. - so do these processes produce oxidants.

Some oxidants can help the immune system fight certain diseases. At the same time, our body is equipped with its own antioxidants to keep the body in check in this regard. Since oxidation is a natural, expected and necessary process, our bodies account for it and make their own antioxidants.

EXTERNAL INFLUENCES AND THE DOMINANCE OF OXIDANTS

We put ourselves in unnatural situations. We eat industrially processed and "etch-preserved" foods, few fruits and vegetables, which are often hastily, in fact artificially, grown. For our convenience, we move little and let external influences act on us without control.

The result is a life of stress, a non-nutritious diet that builds up inside us so that we are essentially malnourished and overweight. Ournatural intake of antioxidants is at a minimal level, and unfavourable environment and lifestyle in turn promote the formation of oxidants. Oxidation of the body leads to ageing. Not just the visible one like wrinkles and sagging skin. But internal aging.

AGING, TUMORS AND COFFEE

Our cells are weakened by aging. Oxidants, or free radicals, attack and damage them. The damaged cell can then attack other still healthy cells, and this destructive process moves up the chain. Cells damagedin this way can start to build tumours, as their genetics are out of control and they cannot even respond to the body's command to self-destruct, lest they attack more and more parts of our body.

Damaged DNA accelerates aging. A study conducted with 100 coffee drinkers found that coffee creates protection for our DNA. These 100 people were divided into two groups. In the first one, the research participants were asked to drink 500 ml of coffee every day for 4 weeks. The second group had to be content with daily consumption of 0.5 litres of pure warm water. The results showed that the DNA damage was 23% lower in the coffee drinkers(1).

COFFEE AGAINST FREE RADICALS

A cup of coffee contains an abundance of antioxidants, and together with the fact that coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, this makes it one of the most important sources of antioxidants in our diet. By drinking coffee, we are helping our bodies fight the mass of free radicals that attack us day after day.

SPECIFIC ANTI-CANCER EFFECTS OF COFFEE

Our favourite drink has not only comprehensive but also some specificabilities to alleviate the progression or prevention of different types of cancer. Although in the past there has been speculation about the health benefits of coffee, and it was thought that it might promote the development of diseases, current evidence from research has ruled out these assumptions.

In relation to the development or progression of cancer, coffee itself has either no effect or a positive effect. Therefore, if you drink coffee, of course in the right amount for your body, you can get aids to fight and prevent disease into your body.

BREAST CANCER IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Cancer often occurs in women in the form of breast cancer. A large study involving 335,060 European women examined coffee and its effect on this type of cancer. No specific effects of coffee on the development of breast cancer were found, but in postmenopausal women at risk of breast cancer, a reduction in this risk was seen in association with drinking caffeinated coffee.

HEALTH-THREATENING TREATMENT OF COFFEE

Despite the many positive effects of coffee on our health, which can help us deal with some of the negative effects of a less than healthy lifestyle, coffee can become dangerous to our health. But only if we ourselves handle it incorrectly - unsafely.

Nature has gifted us coffee as a beneficial plant for our lives. However, how we treat it ourselves can change its properties when we consume it. By improperly handling coffee, thefollowing three substancescan appear in it:

• Ochratoxin A,
• furan,
  
• acrylamide.

ACRYLAMIDE AND FURAN

These substances, acrylamide and furan, are formed during the roastingprocess . This does not mean that we should be afraid of roasted coffee. The roasting process prepares the coffee for use and consumption. During the roasting process, chemical reactions occur that unlock other positive properties of coffee, making roasted coffee suitable for us to drink. Acrylamide and furan and their carcinogenic properties are produced by improper heat treatment.

Lighter roasting is kinder to coffee. Conversely, dark roast coffee, such as that typical of the well-known Italian roasters and commercial coffees in most supermarkets, is an example of coffee that has been exposed to too long and too high a temperature. Good quality coffee is healthy coffee and as such should be roasted with regard to the taste of the coffee and the health of those who will drink it.

OCHRATOXIN A

Theoccurrence of OTA, or ochratoxin A, in coffee is caused by improper handling of the beans. Poor processing or storage of coffee increases the risk of coffee beans becoming infected with mould. In particular ,Aspergillus ochraceous is the causative agent of OTA in coffee.

The formation of mould in green coffee and the subsequent formation of OTA can occur for a number of reasons, such as poorly ventilated and damp coffee warehouses, dirty or damaged coffee beans in coffee bags, also long transport in unfavourable conditions.

COFFEE QUALITY AND HEALTH

A responsible coffee farmer who produces quality coffee takes care not only of the growth of his coffee trees, but also of the subsequent harvesting and processing to ensure that his beans are truly quality. Direct trade sales confirm the direct route from farmer to roaster. The journey of the coffee is thus traceable to ensure that the coffee packages arrive at the roastery in the best possible shape.

Commodity coffees are a product that is defined by quantity rather than quality. They are cheap coffees bought up by large companies to create again cheap products - commercial 'supermarket' coffees. Therisk of OTAs then increases for these. Even long, high-temperature roasting will not destroy this toxic substance.

OCHRATOXIN AND TESTICULAR CANCER

Consumption of coffee with OTA has a toxic effect mainly on the liver and kidneys. Apart from coffee, it is mainly found in pork. Testing in 20 European countries has shown a significant association between coffee and pork consumption and the incidence of testicular cancer. OTA is also thought topromote the risk of testicular cancer in childhood or pregnancy.

HOW TO DRINK COFFEE FOR HEALTH

The basis of coffee consumption as a prevention against disease, and especially cancer, is the use of high quality and considerately roasted selected coffee. Prepare it according to thecorrect procedures.

If you don't know how to do it, read our guides on how to prepare filter or espressocoffee . Keep yourgrinder, coffee machine and gadgets clean. Coffee is best enjoyed unhurriedly, as a moment of relaxation to relieve health-damaging stress.