A recent study found that drinking coffee offers a special benefit for men's health, so what is it?
What are the most prominent substances it contains and plays a role in its effects on health?
The study was conducted by researchers from Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Province, China.
They reviewed 16 studies, which included more than one million people (1 million 81 thousand and 586) and 57,732 cases of prostate cancer, and were published in the journal BMJ Open.
The researchers found that higher coffee consumption was significantly associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
In their conclusions, they said that their study indicated that a high intake of coffee may be associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
In an analysis of coffee intake and response, the risk of prostate cancer decreased by approximately 1% for every increase of one cup of coffee consumption per day.
Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed type of cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer death in men.
There were one million and 276 thousand new cancer cases and 359 thousand cancer deaths in 2018. It is estimated that nearly three quarters of prostate cancer cases occur in developed countries.
The researchers said coffee is one of the most popular drinks.
As its popularity continues to increase worldwide, its small impact on an individual's health may have a significant effect on public health.
What are the main components of coffee concerned with prostate cancer?
Coffee is a major source of dietary caffeine, cafestol and antioxidants in industrialized countries.
Its various components, such as caffeine, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid, can influence the development of cancer through multiple cancer pathways.
An inverse relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of cancer was observed in sites such as the liver, colon, rectum, and breasts, meaning the more coffee consumption, the lower the cancer risk.
The researchers recommend further research to explore the basic mechanisms and active compounds in coffee, to confirm the relationship between coffee and lowering the risk of prostate cancer, in which case men may be encouraged to increase their coffee consumption to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
What is prostate cancer?
It is a malignant tumor that begins in the prostate gland, and its risks increase after the age of 65, and the risk of infection can be reduced by eating a healthy diet with low levels of fats, and following a healthy lifestyle.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is part of the man's reproductive system. It lies below the urinary bladder and wraps around the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside.
The prostate secretes fluids that form semen.
Prostate cancer is the number one cause of death among cancers in men over the age of 75, and it is rare for men under the age of forty.
Prostate cancer occurs when a mutation occurs in the genetic material "DNA" in the cells, and it becomes abnormal so that it grows continuously and does not die. Although the exact cause of this transformation is unknown, there are factors that increase the possibility of infection.
Risk factors
With age, most cases of prostate cancer occur in people over the age of 65.
A satisfactory family history of prostate cancer.
A satisfactory family history of breast cancer in women.
If there is a family history of mutations in the "BRCA1" or "BRCA2" genes.
Obesity.
Eat a diet rich in fats, especially animal fats.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear with the advanced stages of the disease, and therefore doctors seek to detect it in its beginnings and before its symptoms appear, in order to enhance the chances of recovery:
Delayed urination or difficulty starting or continuing urine.
Urine leakage.
Slow flow of urine.
Inability to completely empty the bladder.
Blood or semen in the urine.
Pain in the back and pelvis, and this occurs when cancer has spread to these areas.
Screening for prostate cancer
Early detection of the disease is one of the most important methods of treatment, and that is through many tests, including:
1- Examination of the specific prostate antagonist
A sample is taken from a person's blood and a substance called a specific antigen (PSA) is measured. This substance is naturally excreted from the prostate and is found in a low concentration in the blood, but it increases in certain cases such as:
Prostate cancer.
Prostatitis.
Prostate enlargement.
The specific concentration of the prostate antagonist is considered normal if it is equal to or less than 4 nanograms per milliliter, but if it exceeds that, the doctor takes a biopsy of prostate tissue and examines it to ensure the presence or absence of cancerous growth.
Currently, many medical bodies recommend the use of the specific prostate test as a preventive test to detect prostate cancer, for men who have reached the age of 50 years.
If the person is from the group that has a higher risk of prostate cancer, such as the one who has a family history of the disease, it is recommended to do a specific prostate test at the age of 40 or 45 years.
Consult your doctor about the test, whether or not you need it and when to take it, and whether you need other tests.
2- Examination of the prostate through the rectum
The doctor examines the prostate gland by sensing it through the lower part of the rectum, to check for any changes in its size or abnormalities.
3- Biopsy
The doctor takes a sample of prostate tissue and examines it under a microscope to detect the presence of cancer cells.
However, it should be noted that a high result in the specific prostate screening test is not sufficient to confirm that a person has prostate cancer, as the increase may be due to other causes such as inflammation or inflation.
Also, in some cases, prostate cancer may develop, however the results of the specific prostate antidote are normal, and therefore this test should be done with other tests such as transrectal examination and biopsy.
protection
Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
Exercise most days of the week and be active.
Eat a low-fat diet.
Eat a diet high in omega-3 acids, such as fish.
Focus on natural sources of vitamins and do not take nutritional or vitamin supplements unless after consulting your doctor.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Performing preventive examinations to detect prostate cancer according to the doctor's recommendation.