The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a report stating that coffee works to prevent some cancers rather than acting as a carcinogen, as was previously thought.
In March, a California judge ruled that Starbucks and other businesses that sell coffee would have to include warnings saying the beverage contains a substance that could cause cancer.
Coffee is believed to contain acrylamide, a chemical byproduct of roasting coffee beans – but WHO's cancer research arm stated this week that coffee cannot be classified a carcinogen.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has published detailed results of WHO's evaluation, which includes a 500-page study finding that coffee protects against some cancers.
“This is the largest ever evaluation of coffee ever carried out by scientists, with more than 1000 studies evaluated and considered,” National Coffee Association (NCA) president Bill Murray said.
“The scientists specifically concluded that regular coffee consumption could reduce the risk of liver and uterine cancer.
Murray said drinking between one and five cups a day is also associated with lower rates of heart disease, neurological disease, and suicide.
