DOCS TALK SHOP

Cancer and Dementia: Coffee’s Protection, Alcohol’s Lasting Damage

Could your morning coffee protect you from cancer? And could that evening glass of wine increase your risk? In this episode of Docs Talk Shop, we dig into the science behind two of the most popular beverages and unearth some surprising truths about how they impact your health, especially when it comes to cancer and dementia.

For instance, regular coffee drinkers have up to a 20% lower risk of developing breast and colon cancer. Even more surprising, coffee’s protective effects extend to brain health, reducing the risk of dementia.

And if you're reaching for decaf, stop. Caffeinated coffee can increase muscle mass and boost physical activity. But decaffeinated versions don’t offer the same benefits, proving it’s the combination of caffeine and coffee’s unique compounds that makes the difference.

On the flip side, alcohol—even in moderation—raises your risk of several cancers, including breast, liver, and colon cancer. New research shows that no level of alcohol is truly safe when it comes to cancer, and the supposed cognitive benefits of moderate drinking have been debunked. In fact, alcohol contributes to brain shrinkage and increases the risk of dementia over time.

If you’re wondering how your daily habits might be affecting your long-term health, this episode is packed with insights that will make you rethink your approach to coffee and alcohol. Learn how to protect yourself from cancer and dementia by making smarter choices, starting with your next cup or glass.

1. Alcohol and Cancer Risk
   “In women, breast cancer includes over half of all tumors caused by alcohol.”
   Source: Starek M, Rogalska A. Alcohol consumption and cancer risk. Pharmacological Reports. 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9889462/pdf/43440_2022_Article_426.pdf​:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
2. Genetic Differences in Alcohol Metabolism
   “Individuals differ in their ability to metabolize ethanol through genetic differences in ADH [alcohol dehydrogenase].”
   Source: Starek M, Rogalska A. Pharmacological Reports. 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9889462/pdf/43440_2022_Article_426.pdf​:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
3. Alcohol and Cancer Types
   Cancers linked to alcohol include breast, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, and head/neck cancers.
   Source: Molina Y, et al. Alcohol and cancer risk: A global review. Epidemiol Health. 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10867516/pdf/epih-45-e2023092.pdf​:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
4. Alcohol and Cognitive Decline
   Moderate drinking increases cognitive decline by 10-15% in men consuming 3+ drinks per day.
   Source: Sabia S, et al. Alcohol consumption and cognitive decline in early old age. Neurology. 2014;82(4):332-339. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000000063​​
5. Alcohol and Sleep
   Alcohol reduces REM sleep, disrupts heart rate variability, and fragments sleep, worsening cognitive outcomes.
   Source: Walker M. Why We

Dawn Lemanne, MD
Oregon Integrative Oncology
Leave no stone unturned.

Deborah Gordon, MD
Northwest Wellness and Memory Center
Building Healthy Brains