Is it safe to drink coffee regularly? Does drinking coffee increase or decrease the risk of cancer?

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Solvent in Instant Decaf?

Written by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated September 11, 2023 ⓘ

Answer:

Despite some earlier concerns, drinking coffee does not seem to increase the risk of cancer. In fact, some studies link coffee intake with reduced risk of developing certain forms of cancer and reduced progression of colorectal cancer, although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been proven.

Sign in for details, including how risk differs based on the amount of coffee intake, addressing these questions:

Does coffee increase cancer risk?
Can coffee prevent cancer?
Can coffee reduce cancer progression?
Does coffee contain toxic heavy metals or solvents?
Is it safe to drink coffee regularly?

Note that use of certain supplements have been associated with increased or decreased risk of developing cancers, as discussed in our answer to the question Is it true that some vitamins or supplements can cause cancer?

For information about coffee's impact on cholesterol levels, see our answer to the question Is drinking coffee good or bad for heart health?

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In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article: