Drinking three espressos daily can cut your risk of prostate cancer by 53% The drink was also found to suppress the growth of tumor cells Caffeine has been linked to a decreased risk of disease, suicide and depression A morning shot of espresso can do more than just wake you up. It can also help lower your risk of prostate cancer by up to 53 percent, a new study has revealed. Scientists say drinking three espressos daily can halve your likelihood of developing the disease and suppress the growth of tumors. About one in every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one in 36 will die. Because prostate cancer is the third-leading cause of death in men, the researchers hope that caffeine, which is consumed by the majority of the adult population, will help reduce the number of diagnoses. Drinking three espressos a day can reduce your risk of prostate cancer by 53 percent and suppress tumor growth The study, conducted by the Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed (IRCCS) in Pozzilli, Italy, looked at about 7,000 men residing in the central region of Molise region for four years and analyzed their coffee consumption habits. Researchers then compared them with prostate cancer occurrences and found a net reduction of their risk of 53 percent in those who drank three or more cups a day compared to drinking zero to two cups a day. Confirmation was sought by testing the action of coffee extracts on prostate cancer cells in laboratory studies. They tested, in particular, extracts containing caffeine or decaffeinated. The caffeinated extracts significantly reduced cancer cells proliferation, as well as their ability to metastasize. An effect that largely disappeared with decaf. 'The observations on cancer cells allow us to say that the beneficial effect observed among the 7,000 participants is most likely due to caffeine, rather than to the many other substances contained in coffee', said Maria Benedetta Donati, head of the Laboratory of Translational Medicine. MORE WAYS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR MORNING COFFEE Reduces risk of depression A 10-year study of 86,000 female nurses showed a reduced risk of suicide in coffee drinkers. Another study, conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, found that women who drank four or more cups of coffee were 20 percent less likely to suffer from depression. Increases fiber intake A cup of brewed coffee represents a contribution of up to 1.8 grams of fiber of the recommended intake of between 20 to 38 grams. Lowers risk of multiple sclerosis A 2015 study showed that at least four cups of coffee a day may help protect against the development and reoccurrence of MS. It is believed that coffee prevents the neural inflammation that possibly leads to the disease developing. Her colleague, Licia Iacoviello, head of the Molecular and Nutritional Epidemiology Laboratory, says the region where the study took place may have affected the outcome. 'We should keep in mind at the study is conducted on a central Italy population,' she said. 'They prepare coffee rigorously Italian way: high pressure, very high water temperature and with no 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, now, to explore this aspect.' Past research has shown espresso has a multitude of benefits - and the consumption of coffee as a beverage, prepared in all types of ways, has been associated with reduction in the risk of diseases, suicide and depression A 2014 study from the University of California found that drinking two espressos a day enhanced the process of memory consolidation. This process, in turn, improved long-term memory among the participants. Espresso was also shown to improve exercise performance. A study published in the Medicine and Science in Sports Journal found that caffeine made workouts appear less strenuous, by lowering the perceived level of exertion by over five percent. Source
