Can coffee cause cancer?
(PART 4)
(FOREWORD: this is our continuation of our reply to Benjie of Catalunan Pequeno regarding his anxiety over some bad news about coffee.)
Dear Benjie of Catalunan Pequeno,
Now, here’s more on coffee. As for the last issue, I have pointed out that coffee has potential health benefits which include reduction in risk of type 2 diabetes and lesser chance to likely die from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and chronic lower respiratory disease. But, the truth is, experts don’t know how to explain coffee’s apparent benefits, but they do have some theories. They surmise that coffee contains hundreds of biologically active compounds, some of which have been shown in the lab to have anti-cancer activity, as claimed by the strategic director of nutritional epidemiology at the American Cancer Society.
But, why the fuss about these coffee’s benefits? It is simply because caffeine can affect you in so many ways, which includes boosting energy, memory, and athletic performance, easing headaches, helping to prevent constipation and type 2 diabetes and protecting from brain diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Of course, just like any other thing. Anything that is excessive is dangerous. Remember that too much coffee can make you anxious, nervous, or jittery. It can also affect your sleep. But, if you need to stay awake, then, this can help you stay up. There can also be digestion problem and stomach upset. So, if you feel that the acids are going up to your mouth from your stomach, then, means that you have to slow down from your coffee encounters. Take a break, if you may. Blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm are likewise affected. And it can also damage a child’s developing heart, blood vessels, and nervous system.
And whether it’s decaffeinated or the caffeinated, the benefits in general are the same. Although, they can have different possible adverse effects. Caffeinated can cause wrinkles. Drinking too much coffee can cause the skin to wrinkle prematurely, and become more lax with time. Now, with decaffeinated coffee, benzene is used here to finish the process. The problem is, we now know that when inhaled, even in small amounts, benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches, as well as eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. Over the long term and in high doses, benzene has been linked to cancer, blood disorders, and fetal development issues in pregnant women. So, toss the coins, guys. It’s all up to you. But, again, this is only when you take too much coffee.
We are losing again space for now, let me then, continue this in my next issue. Until then again!
Dr. Fritz
(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we can not answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)