WHO’s love-hate relationship with coffee

In the early days, the World Health Organization’s International Center for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed an authoritative list of carcinogens, among which coffee was included in Category 2B carcinogens. (possibly carcinogenic to humans), which makes people sigh. Let’s take a look at what’s there:

The first is esophageal cancer. Coffee or other hot drinks above 65℃ are likely to cause cancer, especially the esophagus. This is also easy to understand. After drinking from the mouth, the first stop is the esophagus. The cancer risk of hot drinks above 65℃ belongs to Category 2A, which is not directly related to coffee.

The second is bladder cancer and pancreatic cancer. However, the early research methods and conclusions were unreliable and were later overturned.

Therefore, in a recent report, IARC lowered the cancer risk of coffee to Category 3, which means that there is insufficient evidence to link coffee to cancer risk. Now, based on online results, coffee lovers can rest easy again.

In June 2016, the WHO removed coffee from the list of possible carcinogens and further classified coffee as a cancer-preventive drink, pointing out that coffee can reduce the risk of uterine cancer and liver cancer.

Other authoritative medical organizations have made similar recommendations. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee states: Moderate coffee consumption (3-5 cups per day) is healthy. The World Cancer Research Fund also says that drinking coffee is associated with a reduced risk of several cancers.

How to drink coffee safely

After seeing so many benefits of drinking coffee, I believe you will be unable to resist the urge to drink a few cups at this time. However, whether you drink coffee or not should be based on your own situation and your ability.

If you usually have the habit of drinking coffee, you can continue to drink it with confidence. However, you don’t have to drink a few more cups a day just because coffee is good.

If you don’t like coffee, there is no need to drink coffee.

The key point is that people who are too sensitive to caffeine are not recommended to drink coffee. Over-sensitivity manifests as frequent urination, heartburn, rapid heartbeat after drinking a small cup of coffee or tea, and insomnia even if it is drunk 6 hours before going to bed. .

So, what should you pay attention to when drinking coffee?

1. Drink coffee in moderation

Drinking too much coffee may cause adverse reactions. The caffeine contained in coffee may interfere with sleep, cause drowsiness or nervousness, and even cause anxiety. Controlling the amount of coffee you drink can reduce the occurrence of these adverse reactions

2. Remember not to drink coffee that is too hot.

Any drink above 65℃ will increase the risk of esophageal cancer and may also cause burns.