Health Benefits of Coffee Consumption for Cancer and Other Diseases and Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, and epidemiology studies associate higher coffee consumption with decreased rates of mortality and decreased rates of neurological and metabolic diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, there is also evidence that higher coffee consumption is associated with lower rates of colon and rectal cancer, as well as breast, endometrial, and other cancers, although for some of these cancers, the results are conflicting. These studies reflect the chemopreventive effects of coffee; there is also evidence that coffee consumption may be therapeutic for some forms of breast and colon cancer, and this needs to be further investigated. The mechanisms associated with the chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic effects of over 1000 individual compounds in roasted coffee are complex and may vary with different diseases. Some of these mechanisms may be related to nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2)-regulated pathways that target oxidative stress or pathways that induce reactive oxygen species to kill diseased cells (primarily therapeutic). There is evidence for the involvement of receptors which include the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1), as well as contributions from epigenetic pathways and the gut microbiome. Further elucidation of the mechanisms will facilitate the potential future clinical applications of coffee extracts for treating cancer and other inflammatory diseases.

Coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer recurrence and all‐cause mortality

“…The mechanisms that underlie the potential benefits of coffee consumption on CRC recurrence are yet to be fully elucidated. However, coffee consumption has been proposed to be protective against the hallmarks of cancer 16 by activating pathways such as nuclear factor erythroid 2(Nrf2)‐regulated pathways that reduce oxidative stress 39 . Coffee consumption could also modulate microbiota composition which in turn may promote the chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic actions against CRC 20,40–42 .…”

“…However, coffee consumption has been proposed to be protective against the hallmarks of cancer 16 by activating pathways such as nuclear factor erythroid 2(Nrf2)-regulated pathways that reduce oxidative stress. 39 Coffee consumption could also modulate microbiota composition which in turn may promote the chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic actions against CRC. 20,[40][41][42] Coffee consumption may also prevent metastatic growth of CRC by improving the function of the liver in CRC patients 43 and by protecting against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, 44 which is considered a risk factor for liver metastasis.…”

Exploring the Impact of Nutrition on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Management: Unveiling the Roles of Various Foods, Food Components, and Compounds

“…The risk of cancer may be reduced in subjects consuming coffee, but this needs further investigation. Within the components of coffee, caffeine, chlorogenic acids, polyphenols, alkaloids, vitamins, metals, and terpenoids can be specified [ 73 , 74 ]. In the literature, studies revealing the effects of coffee use in NAFLD patients can be found.…”

Added sugar in coffee beverages: A study with a sample of Brazilian consumers of sweetened and unsweetened coffee

“…Coffee is a widely consumed beverage rich in bioactive compounds with positive impacts on health, including the reduction of incidence of Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (Carneiro et al, 2021; Corbi‐Cobo‐Losey et al, 2023; Safe et al, 2023). In a large prospective study, Liu et al (2022) found that coffee consumption reduced the risk of death from various causes.…”