It was reported in the news recently that a judge in California ruled that the state's cancer warning law applied to coffee, and that coffee must therefore carry a warning label that it can cause cancer.

While the ruling was widely mocked, if we take a close look at this issue, does it have any validity?

Coffee contains acrylamide, a putative cancer-causing chemical. Acrylamide in coffee results from roasting of coffee beans.

But does coffee consumption cause cancer?

The evidence says that it does not. In fact, coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of many cancers.

Coffee consumption is associated with a modestly lower risk of many cancers, and no increased risk of any cancer. (Study here.)

Coffee consumption at 2 cups a day is associated with about a 30% lower risk of liver cancer, and a 44% decreased risk of liver cancer in people with liver disease. (Study here.)

And coffee is associated with a lower all-cause death rate. (Study here.)

Acrylamide consumption in all foods is not associated with any increase in cancer, and possibly even a lower rate of colon cancer. (Study here.)

In my opinion, coffee is healthy and acrylamide is a trivial to non-existent concern. 

Best,

PD Mangan

Rogue Health and Fitness

PS: My most recent book is Best Supplements for Men.