Finally, some good news in 2020!

Most coffee drinkers don’t need arm-twisting to convince them to enjoy their favorite brew. But these days, our health is at the front of our minds more than ever. So it’s nice knowing your daily pick-me-up is also good for you!

Perhaps you are already familiar with the multitude of benefits coffee offers, such as being good for exfoliating and energizing your skin, improving your workout, and making you happier.  But it gets better! Just in time for the sunniest season of the year (here in the Northern Hemisphere), a study found that drinking coffee, especially caffeinated coffee, can help reduce the risk of skin cancer.

In this recent study led by Cristina Fortes, PhD at  the Instituto Dermopatico Dell’Immacolata in Rome, Lazio Italy, researchers found that drinking coffee has a protective effect against melanoma.

The study, soon to be published by the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, investigated the effect that several anti-inflammatory foods had on melanoma. 

During the study, which contained “…nearly 2.5 million participants,” (Cadwalader), researchers systematically reviewed 18 cohort studies.  Seven of the 18 investigated the effect coffee had on melanoma. Incredibly, six of the seven studies involving coffee found that coffee had a protective effect against melanoma.

“Food components considered as anti-inflammatory, such as vitamin D, vitamin A, folic acid, niacin, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, and carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene), were not associated with a protective effect for melanoma. Other anti-inflammatory food items, such as tea, fruits, and vegetables, except for citrus fruits that were borderline associated with an increased risk, were not associated with cutaneous melanoma,” (Fortes).

“In conclusion, the only anti-inflammatory food item that was consistently associated with a protective effect for cutaneous melanoma was coffee in particular caffeinated coffee,” (Fortes).

And there you have it! All the more reason to brew yourself another cup.

In our opinion, one of the best parts about summer is spending time outside. Despite 2020 being the year of social distancing and travel restrictions, you can still bask in the sun in your backyard, on your balcony, or in an (adequately spaced out) public park. Even if the beach vacation of your dreams is drifting farther and farther out of reach, take comfort knowing those tasty beans have your back. So go brew yourself a delicious cup of coffee, slather on your favorite SPF (just to be extra safe), and enjoy that much-deserved sunshine!

Check out our related blogs:

8 Ways Coffee Can Improve Your Health

Coffee and Health

What Coffee Can Do for Your Workout

How Coffee Can Make You HappierThe Benefits of Coffee and Why You Should Enjoy That Cup a Day

References:

Fortes, Cristina. “Are Anti-Inflammatory Foods Associated with a Protective Effect for Cutaneous Melanoma?” European Journal of Cancer Prevention, Publish Ahead of Print, 2020, doi:10.1097/cej.0000000000000591

Cadwalader, Zac. “New Study Finds Coffee Lowers The Risk Of Skin Cancer.” Sprudge, 25 June 2020, sprudge.com/new-study-finds-coffee-lowers-the-risk-of-skin-cancer-164077.htm