Press
Coffee is considered the ultimate stimulant. However, its disease-preventing effects are more interesting for doctors.
For many people, daily coffee is a given. Many “caffeine junkies” swear by the awakening and euphoric effects of caffeine. As with most other stimulants, the following applies: you should not overdose on caffeine, otherwise you risk caffeine shock. Too much caffeine can result in nervousness, insomnia, headaches, perception disorders, cardiac arrhythmias and increased breathing rates. according to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). According to the BfR, health risks can arise if the recommended consumption of one serving per day with more than 200 milligrams of caffeine is exceeded. A cup of filter coffee (around 200 ml) contains around 90 mg of caffeine.
But if you don’t consume coffee in excess, the drink can have a positive effect on our health. The euphoric effect of coffee can even prevent depression. Research also suggests that coffee drinkers are less likely to develop dementia, cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks, and diabetes. This has a life-extending effect.
Fight cancer with coffee: Caffeine and secondary plant substances protect the cells
The risk of cancer is also positively influenced by substances in coffee. So informs that Medical Journalthat coffee drinkers are slightly less likely to develop skin cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer than abstainers. The influence on the liver is particularly clear. The risk of liver cirrhosis was reduced by 55 percent in epidemiological studies and liver cancer also occurred a full 40 percent less often, it goes on to say.
But why can coffee protect against cancer? For a long time it was assumed that the ingredient caffeine in particular had a cancer-preventing effect. But more recent studies would indicate that other plant substances in coffee are also responsible for according to information from the German Cancer Research Center in the Helmholtz Association.
Coffee is offered by the German Cancer Research Center and the specialist portal Medical Tribune According to protection against the following cancer diseases:
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Black and white skin cancer
- Breast cancer (in premenopausal women)
- Colon cancer
- Uterine cancer
Which plant substances that are good for your health can be found in coffee?
Antioxidants are found in coffee. These substances protect the body from free radicals – certain metabolic products that are chemically highly reactive and can cause cell damage. This damage can cause the cells to degenerate, which can result in cancer. Antioxidants from food are, for example, secondary plant substances. In coffee these are the German Society for Nutrition According to this, mainly phenolic acids.
You can find even more exciting health topics in our free newsletter, which you can subscribe to right here.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.