A new study by researchers at Vanderbilt University has raised questions about the possible links between coffee and lung cancer. Vanderbilt is a highly respected cancer center and has come up with some interesting details. Researchers have found that drinking two or more cups of coffee may increase one’s risk to lung cancer. According to the researchers, people who are non-smokers and drank two or more coffees per day had a 41% increased rate of lung cancer as compared to those who did not drink coffee. Also, those non-smokers who drank two or more cups of tea per day had a 37% greater risk of having lung cancer than those who did not drink tea.
This data involved 1.2 million participants in the United States and Asia and were tracked for an average of 8.6 years. The research recorded whether the participants drank coffee or tea or smoked cigarettes and half were non-smokers. The obvious commonality between coffee and tea is the carcinogenic agent. The Meta study found that decaf coffee was associated with 15% higher risk than regular coffee.
This observational study doesn’t prove any casual relationship between consumption of coffee and increased risk of lung cancer. Also, the reliability of their data is also in questions. Participants were asked about their smoking and coffee/tea habits at the beginning of the surveys. There is the possibility of changes in habits over the course of average 8.6 years. Another factor that is not considered by the study is the secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is the exposure to smoke and it is possible that the coffee drinkers may get exposure to secondhand smoke.
The coffee-based studies need more research to be done before any conclusions can be drawn. So, don’t change your coffee habits as there’s still evidence required.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.