Coffee drinkers can rejoice just a little more over that daily shot of caffeinated goodness first thing in the morning.   For years coffee has been on the receiving end of accusations causing sleeplessness (isn't that why we drink it?), heart burn, dehydration, and probably an assortment of other health-related evils.   Finally there is some good news and it may have huge implications.   Coffee may have a positive role in prevention of colon cancer.   What can't coffee do!

A study from Tokyo's National Cancer Center collected data from over ninety thousand individuals aged forty to sixty-nine for over twelve years.   From this data they found there appears to be half the risk of colon cancer in women that drank more than three cups of coffee in a day compared to those women who drank no coffee during the day.   The research team tried to find the same trend in the male component of the study.   However, the researchers were unable to adjust for external factors such as alcohol consumption or smoking.   Among the women the researchers were far more successful at normalizing external factors.

Coffee May Prevent Colon Cancer!

Exactly how coffee is a preventative measure for colon cancer in women is unclear.   However, as all coffee drinkers know, coffee stimulates colonic activity.   Add to this coffee's natural function as an anti-oxidant and there is a one-two punch for colon health.   Coffee does not let the colon contents remain and eliminates potentially harmful molecules.  

Obviously further research must be done to completely investigate coffee's role in cancer prevention as well as determine whether there is in fact a gender difference in coffee's role.   However, while all that is being examined, feel free to carry on with your morning ritual of a cup of coffee and the newspaper.