MEN who drink a lot of coffee dramatically cut their risk of lethal prostate cancer, a large study has shown.
Consuming six or more cups of coffee daily was associated with a 20% reduced risk of any form of the disease. Men who drank the most coffee were 60% less likely to develop aggressive cancer that causes death or spreads to the bones.
Even relatively small amounts of coffee – one to three cups per day – lowered the risk of lethal prostate cancer by 30%.
The link appears to be unconnected with caffeine, since it made no difference whether participants drank caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.
Scientists believe it may be due to antioxidants and plant chemicals in coffee known to have health benefits.
Each year, around 37,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK, and some 10,000 die from the disease.
