SUGGESTED ACTION OF COFFEE ON CANCER RISK
Coffee can potentially impact the etiology of cancer by multiple pathways. One of them is connected with polyphenols which are abundant in coffee. Polyphenols have strong antioxidant properties and can inhibit oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage. Coffee is also a source of diterpenes – cafestol and kahweol, which can modulate multiple enzymes involved in carcinogenic detoxification, especially in the process of hepatic detoxification. Drinking coffee has been associated with a reduced risk of hepatic injury and cirrhosis and, via that pathway,coffee can protect against liver carcinogenesis. With reference to colon cancer, specific possible mechanism include reduction of synthesis and secretion of bile acids, known promoters of colon cancer, whereas in case of breast cancer the anti-carcinogenic properties of coffee can result from altered estrogen metabolism.