Oncologists advise limiting sugar and cream in daily coffee

Oncologists and medical experts advise daily coffee drinkers to limit the addition of sugar, cream, and high-calorie syrups to maintain potential health benefits. While observational studies suggest regular coffee consumption may be linked to a lower risk of certain cancers, such as liver and endometrial cancer, experts warn that turning coffee into a high-calorie beverage can lead to obesity and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Tingting Tan of City of Hope notes that drinking coffee black or with a small amount of milk does not negate its potential benefits. However, highly sweetened iced coffees or drinks loaded with fats and syrups should be treated as occasional treats rather than daily staples.

Research into coffee's health impacts focuses on natural compounds like chlorogenic acid, cafestol, kahweol, quinic acid, and N-methylpyridinium. Dr. Jamie Koprivnikar of the John Theurer Cancer Center highlights that compounds such as chlorogenic acid possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help neutralize free radicals that cause DNA damage.