Coffee and colorectal cancer in a Korean population
What it found
In a study of 923 colorectal cancer cases and 1846 controls in Korea, people who drank 3 or more cups of coffee a day had lower odds of colorectal cancer than those who drank none.
The link was stronger after accounting for sugar and cream added to coffee.
What they found
Studies in people
Coffee and colorectal cancer
People who drank 3 or more cups of coffee a day had 32% lower odds of colorectal cancer than those who drank none, after adjusting for many factors. When sugar and cream were also accounted for, the odds were 78% lower.
By cancer site
After accounting for coffee additives, the link held for cancers in the proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum. Before that adjustment, no significant link was seen for any site.
By sex
After accounting for coffee additives, the link was significant in both men and women. Before that adjustment, it was not significant in either.
By body weight
After accounting for coffee additives, both non-obese and obese people had lower odds of colorectal cancer with high coffee intake. The reduction was slightly larger in obese people.
What the authors conclude
“In conclusion, we found that high coffee consumption was associated with decreased odds of developing colorectal cancer.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that high coffee consumption was associated with decreased odds of developing colorectal cancer.
- They say the inverse association became stronger after additional adjustment for consumption of coffee additives, including sugar and cream.
- They advise that future large prospective cohort studies that control for intake of coffee additives should be conducted in various geographic regions.
How it was done
Colorectal cancer is common in Korea, and dietary factors may affect risk. Coffee is popular, but no study had looked at this link in a Korean population, and none had considered coffee additives like sugar and cream.
They compared 923 people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 1846 controls matched by sex and age, all from a hospital in Korea. Coffee intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire covering the previous year.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a case-control study, so it can show a link but not that coffee causes the lower odds.
- People with cancer may remember their past diet differently from controls, which could affect the results.
- The findings apply only to the Korean population studied.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by National Cancer Center in Korea (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflict of interest.
- Authors work at
- Gyeongsang National University, Korea; Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Korea; National Cancer Center Hospital, Korea
The paper
- Title
- The Association between Coffee Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in a Korean Population
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Kim Y, Lee J, Oh JH, et al (2021). The Association between Coffee Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in a Korean Population. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu13082753Free full textPubMed 34444913DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error