Beer, coffee fight cancer

Drinking beer and coffee may cut the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer, according to two studies.

In the first study, scientists recorded the coffee consumption of almost 50,000 men taking part in a major US health study.

The study found men who drank the most coffee had a 60 per cent lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer than those who drank no coffee.

Helen Rippon, head of research management at the Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "The research evidence so far on the relationship between caffeinated drinks and prostate cancer has been quite mixed, and has largely focused on the risk of developing the disease and the role that drinks like tea and coffee might have in cancer prevention.

"This large-scale study looked instead at whether coffee drinking might influence the aggressiveness of prostate cancer in men who do develop the disease.

"We would not recommend that men cultivate a heavy coffee-drinking habit on the back of this research, not least because a high caffeine intake can cause other health problems."

There was more good news in battling the disease from the second study, which suggested that men may now have another excuse to go to the pub.

Research suggests that a compound in beer may also prevent prostate cancer.

Tests showed that the ingredient xanthohumol blocked a biological pathway that allows prostate cancer to be fuelled by the male hormone testosterone.

The disease is commonly treated with drugs that act in a similar way.

- INDEPENDENT