Introduction
This is a review of a study out of Texas A&M University that covers a study, which was published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences that looked into the Health Benefits of Coffee Consumption in regard to Cancer and Other Diseases.
A Second Cup
Coffee is one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages, and numerous studies have shown that having higher coffee consumption is linked to decreased rates of mortality, as well as decreased rates of neurological and metabolic diseases, including Parkinson's, Cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
This new study adds to that body of evidence, by saying that having a second cup may actually be extremely beneficial for regular coffee drinkers, let’s find out why.
Statement
Stephen Safe, PhD, Professor of Toxicology at Texas A&M University, and co-author of the paper said, "There is evidence that higher coffee consumption is associated with lower rates of colon and rectal cancer, as well as breast, endometrial and other cancers, although there are conflicting reports on its benefit for some of these cancers.”
Collaborative Study
Among the studies noted in this review was an examination into the role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (known as AhR) in mediating the effects of coffee in the colon.
The research was conducted in the Safe Lab and the Chapkin Lab, at the Texas A&M University.
Two of the primary contributors to the study were Professor Robert Chapkin and Laurie Davidson PhD, she is a Department of Nutrition researcher who works in the Chapkin Lab.
Statement
Professor Robert Chapkin, Head of the Chapkin Lab at Texas A&M University said, "The mechanisms associated with the chemo-preventive or chemo-therapeutic effects of more than 1,000 individual compounds in roasted coffee are complex and may vary with different diseases."
The Mechanisms
Some of these mechanisms may be related to pathways that target oxidative stress or pathways that induce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to kill diseased cells. There is also evidence for the involvement of receptors in addition to contributions from epigenetic pathways and the gut microbiome.
Statement
Professor Chapkin stated that, "As part of our study using genetically modified cell lines, mouse colonic organoids and transgenic mouse models, we wanted to further elucidate the mechanisms that would facilitate the potential future clinical applications of coffee extracts."
Just Caffeine?
The review noted that although roasted coffee beans and brewed coffee contain high levels of caffeine, there are several hundred individual phytochemical-derived compounds in coffee. These compounds include chlorogenic acid, alkaloids, vitamins and some metals. Other compounds also include the flavonoid quercetin, caffeine, the alkaloid beta-carboline, and cafestrol.
Mechanisms of Action
The Research showed the mechanisms of action of coffee are complex and dependent on the effects of its constituents, including chlorogenic acids, polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids and other phytochemicals.
Statement
Laurie Davidson PhD, from the Department of Nutrition at Texas A&M University said, "We also found evidence that the antioxidant activity of coffee, which activates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, or Nrf2, may be an important mechanism of action.
But since Nrf2 exhibits both health-protective and drug-resistant activities, other cell context-dependent factors may also be important."
Colon Cancer
Doctor Davidson noted that they had also found evidence that the protective effects of coffee, in the gut, decreased the risk of colon cancer, which she said may be due to its activity as an Aryl Hydro-carbon Ligand.
This hydrocarbon receptor, AhR, is a transcription factor that regulates our gene expression.
Protective Effect
The study also demonstrated that roasted coffee-derived extracts - function in part - by activating AhR. In a mouse model, coffee induced several AhR-dependent responses in the intestine.
These included gene expression, inhibition of intestinal stem cell-enriched organoid growth, and the inhibition of intestinal barrier damage.
Statement
Professor Chapkin noted that, "Overall, these mechanisms, in concert with possible epigenetic pathways and the modulation of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites, contribute to the health benefits of higher coffee consumption."
NH4A1 Receptor
The researchers also discovered that that some coffee components bind the orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 to the interactions with the AhR receptor.
The NH4A1 receptor is a key factor in multiple diseases, such as arthritis, inflammation, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and a high NR4A1 expression is also associated with breast cancer.
Statement
Professor Safe noted that, "A major target for cancer chemotherapy includes specific protein transcription factors, the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, the Estrogen Receptor and NR4A1.”
And he says that his Lab has…
"Ongoing collaborations focused on endometriosis, Parkinson's Disease, and learning and memory.
We have been very interested in the therapeutic impact of coffee consumption on many of these diseases, and how it may improve human health."
Scientific Links:
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/3/2706
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36769029/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9916720/
https://europepmc.org/article/MED/36769029
https://shorturl.ac/7b7gq
https://shorturl.ac/7b7gu
YouTube Video: