August 22, 2002
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. 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 {e.g., Symmetrel}
or
Amphetamines {e.g., Desoxyn, Dexedrine} or
Appetite
suppressants {diet pills} or
Bupropion {e.g., Wellbutrin}
or
Chlophedianol {e.g., Ulone} or
Cocaine
or
Fluoxetine {e.g., Prozac} or
Medicine for asthma or
other breathing problems or
Medicine for colds, sinus
problems, hay fever or other allergies
{including nose
drops or sprays} or
Methylphenidate {e.g., Ritalin}
or
Nabilone {e.g., Cesamet} or
Other medicines or
beverages containing caffeine or
Paroxetine {e.g., Paxil)
or
Pemoline {e.g., Cylert} 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
{furazolidone [e.g., Furoxone,
isocarboxazid [e.g.,
Marplan, phenelzine [e.g., Nardil,
procarbazine [E.g.,
Matulane, selegiline [e.g.,
Eldepryl,
tranylcypromine[e.g., Parnate}-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 {fear of being in open places}
or
Anxiety or
Convulsions {seizures} {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 {11}: 1043-1052
{June 1
1998}.
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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Developer
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