Islamabad - Researchers from the US found that drinking coffee every day - even decaffeinated coffee - may lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
Drinking more than 2.5 servings of coffee daily reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 50% in the new study.
Senior study author Dr Stephen Gruber, of the University of Southern California (USC) Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and colleagues said this in their findings.
In the US, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer among men and women combined, excluding skin cancer, with more than 95,000 new cases of colon cancer and 39,000 new cases of rectal cancer expected to be diagnosed this year.
The American Cancer Society state that the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is 1 in 21 for men and 1 in 23 for women.
But according to this latest research, one of America’s favorite beverages - coffee - could have a protective effect against the disease.
For their study, Dr. Gruber and colleagues analyzed the data of 5,145 individuals who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, alongside 4,097 people who did not have the disease.
As part of the study, subjects were required to complete a food frequency questionnaire, detailing their daily intake of espresso, instant, decaffeinated and filter coffee, as well as their daily consumption of other beverages.
The participants also completed a questionnaire that disclosed information on family history of cancer, diet, physical activity levels, smoking habits and other factors that may affect their risk of colorectal cancer.
The researchers found that drinking one to two servings of coffee a day - defined as moderate coffee consumption - reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 26%, compared with participants who drank less coffee.
And the risk reduced even further with an increase in coffee intake; participants who consumed more than 2.5 servings of coffee daily had up to a 50% lower risk of colorectal cancer.
Not only did these findings remain after accounting for known colorectal cancer risk factors, but the researchers also found that the reduced risk was seen across all coffee types - even decaffeinated.
“We were somewhat surprised to see that caffeine did not seem to matter,” says Dr. Gruber. “This indicates that caffeine alone is not responsible for coffee’s protective properties.”
Exercise termed fountain of youth
We’ve long searched for the key to staying ‘forever young.’ Serums promise to keep our skin from aging, diets keep us looking trim and supplements help keep our bodies healthy. Yet, the true secret to remaining youthful has been right under our nose the whole time - exercise.
Scientists say it is ‘superb’ fitness that keeps people young.
Experts from University of Guelph, in Canada, revealed elderly people who were elite athletes in their youth – or later in life – have much ‘younger muscles.’
The elderly people at the heart of the study still compete as master athletes in their old age, and have much healthier muscles at the cellular level than those of non-athletes.
Scientists have discovered that elderly people who were elite athletes in their youth - or even later in life - have much healthier muscles at the cellular level than those of non-athletes, and suggest regular exercise and ‘superb fitness’ could be the key to remaining youthful
The study compared world-class track and field athletes in their 80s with people the same age who were living independently.
There has been little research of aging and muscle weakening in master athletes in this age group – until now.
Lead study author Dr Geoff Power said: ‘One of the most unique and novel aspects of this study is the exceptional participants.
‘These are people in their 80s and 90s who actively compete in world masters track and field championships.
‘We have seven world champions. These individuals are the crème de la crème of aging.’ The elderly athletes’ legs were found to be 25 per cent stronger on average than their non-athlete counterparts.
Elderly people who competed in track and field were found to have 25 per cent stronger legs and 14 per cent more muscle mass than those did not
Furthermore, the athletes also had nearly 14 per cent more total muscle mass.
They also were determined to have nearly one-third more motor units in their leg muscles than non-athletes.
More motor units – which consist of nerve and muscle fibers – mean more muscle mass and greater strength, the study noted.
With normal aging processes, the nervous system loses motor neurons – which leads to a loss of motor units, reduced muscle mass and less strength, speed and power.
That process accelerates substantially after the age of 60.
Dr Power said: ‘Therefore, identifying opportunities to intervene and delay the loss of motor units in old age is of critical importance.’
The scientist looked at muscle fibers in the same elite athlete and non-athlete groups in another recent study, as well.
‘Exercise is definitely an important contributor to functional performance,’ he said, noting that even non-athletes can benefit.
‘Staying active, even later in life, can help reduce muscle loss.’
But, Dr Power added, ‘We cannot rule out the important of genetics.’
He said additional research is necessary to determine whether muscle health in elite athletes comes from training or genes.