A new study found that women who drink about four cups of coffee per day have lower risks of developing endometrial cancer compared to those who drink a cup per day.
Researchers at the Imperial College London looked at 84 foods and nutrients to determine a possible link between diet and endometrial cancer. They identified nine items - total fat, monounsaturated fat, carbohydrates, phosphorus, butter, yogurt, cheese, potatoes and coffee - previously identified by the earlier studies. Finally, they narrowed their focus on coffee.
Initial analysis showed that those who drank about three cups of coffee per day lowered their risk of endometrial cancer by 19 percent compared to those who drink a cup per day. Those who had four cups, on the other hand, reduced their risk by 18 percent compared to those who don't drink coffee at all.
"We confirmed observations from previous studies that having a high versus low intake of coffee was associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, and for most other dietary factors there was no association with endometrial cancer risk," Melissa A. Merritt, a research fellow in cancer epidemiology at Imperial College London said in a news release.
Moreover, the researchers found that total fat, monounsaturated fat, and phosphorus can also cut the risk of having endometrial cancer while carbohydrates and butter increase the risk.
The findings of the study imply that coffee or caffeine can be used to prevent endometrial cancer. But the researchers admitted that further research is needed to evaluate how coffee affects the disease.
The study was published in the Feb. 6 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
