That morning cup of java might do more
than just kickstart your day -- it could actually help protect you
against
colon cancer. German researchers say they''ve found a
highly active compound, called methylpyridinium, in coffee that may
prevent colon cancer. In studies with animals, this potent antioxidant
compound appears to boost the activity of phase II enzymes, which are
believed to protect against colon cancer. The study results appear in the Nov. 5 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Scientists have suspected for years that
coffee may offer some cancer
protection. This is the first study that''s
identified a specific, highly active
anticancer compound in coffee. "Until human studies are done, no one
knows exactly how much coffee is needed to have a protective effect
against colon cancer," study co-leader Thomas Hofman, professor and
head of the Institute for Food Chemistry at the University of Munster,
says in a prepared statement. "However, our studies suggest that
drinking coffee may offer some protection, especially if it''s strong,"
Hofman says. He notes that espresso-type coffee contains about two to
three times more of the anticancer compound than a medium roast coffee.
Methylpyridinium is found almost
exclusively in coffee and coffee products. It''s not present in raw
coffee beans. It''s formed during the roasting process from its chemical
precursor, trigonellin. The anticancer compound is present in both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee and is even found in instant coffee.