Should I?

A recent study suggests that regular, moderate coffee drinking may protect smokers from bladder cancer. In the study, smokers who didn't drink coffee were seven times more likely to develop bladder cancer. didnt drink coffee were seven times more likely to develop bladder cancer.

A recent study suggests that regular, moderate coffee drinking may protect smokers from bladder cancer. In the study, smokers who didn't drink coffee were seven times more likely to develop bladder cancer.

It is estimated that 50% of the cases of bladder cancer in men and 30% in women are due to smoking.

Dr. Johnson, head of intestinal physiology and cellular matabolism at the Institute of Food Research, says that coffee drinking has similar protective effects as eating cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, but that cruciferous vegetables may be more effective in preventing bladder cancer.

The risk for kidney stone formation decreased by 10% per 8-oz cup of coffee consumed. This is reported in 'Beverage use and risk for kidney stones in women' by Curhan, GC; Willett, WC; Speiger, FE; and Stampfer, MJ.

Dr. Edward Giovannucci included five case studies in his report that showed increased coffee consumption to be associated with a reduced risk of large bowel cancer.

In all studies combined, coffee drinkers had a 24%

lower risk of colorectal cancer relative to infrequent or nondrinkers.

'The risk of colorectal adenoma, a cancer recursor, was found to be a precursor in approximately half the risk in those invividuals with frequest coffee consumption versus those with infrequent consumption.' [Dr. Edward Giovannucci.

Mayo Clinic research studies have shown that heavy coffee drinkers [four or more cups daily seem to develop Parkinson's disease less often. Similar results were shown in a study done by neurologists Demetrius Margavore and Walter Rocca; Honolulu Heart Study, 2000; and one done by Harvard Medical School.

Researchers say the question is 'do heavy coffee drinkers share a personality type that renders them less likely to develop Parkinson's disease?'. Dr. Margavore said a direct effect of drinking coffee remains unproven.

And last, but not least, one cup of coffee has the anti-oxidant properties of two glasses of orange juice.

Two 8-oz cups per day is considered an average or moderate amount. Five 8-oz cups per day is excessive and can cause health problems.

Coffee drinking is contra-indicated for pregnant women, people with coronary disease, those with peptic ulcers, or high blood pressure.

When you are taking caffeine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Amantadine or

Amphetamines or

Appetite suppressants or

Bupropion or

Chlophedianol or

Cocaine or

Fluoxetine or

Medicine for asthma or other breathing problems or

Medicine for colds, sinus problems, hay fever or other allergies

or

Methylphenidate or

Nabilone or

Other medicines or beverages containing caffeine or

Paroxetine or

Sertraline (e.g., Zoloft)-Using these medicines with caffeine may

increase the CNS-stimulant effects, such as nervousness,

irritability, or trouble in sleeping, or possibly cause convulsions

(seizures} or changes in the rhythm of your heart.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors -Taking large amounts of caffeine while you are taking, or within two weeks of taking MAO inhibitors may cause extremely high blood pressure or dangerous changes in the rhythm of your heart. Taking small amount of caffeine may cause mild high blood pressure and fast heartbeat.

Other medical problems:

The presence of other medical problems may affect

the use of caffeine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems,

other medical problems, especially:

Agoraphobia or

Anxiety or

Convulsions {in newborn babies} or

Heart disease, severe or

High blood pressure or

Panic attacks or

Trouble in sleeping - Caffeine may make the condition worse

Liver disease - Higher blood levels of caffeine may result, increasing the chance of side effects.

The above information should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A

licensed physician should be consulted for

diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. There is no warranty that the information is free from errors and omissions or that it meets any particular standard.

Resources:

Ann. Intern. Med. 1998, Apr 1; 128 [7 i534.40

Dr. Gonzalo Lopez-Abente, Carlos 111, Health Institute of Madrid, Spain.

Dr. Ian Johnson, Institute of Food Research.

Dr. Edward Giovannucci, Journal of Epidemiology, 147 : 1043-1052

.

Mayo Clinic, Nov 14 2000.

MDX [Medical Data Exchange Health Digest.

Nutrition Research Newsletter; Issue: July-Aug: 1998.

Dr. Demetrius Margavore, Neurologist.

Dr. Walter Rocca, Neurologist.

Reported in 'Beverage Use & Risk For Kidney Stones In Women by Curhan,

GC; Willett, WC; Speiger, FE; and Stampfer, MJ.

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