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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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41 Comments

Jayne19973
July 10, 2024

Maybe I am missing information here, but here are my questions: 1) is there a difference in health benefits by derived in the way one makes coffee? I recall reading that filtering eliminated (things - maybe oils?) that may cause health problems and; 2) I've read that light and medium roast coffee are far superior to dark roast and further, that dark roast may be provide negative health benefits.

Les22549
April 18, 2025

To address the roasting question, my understanding is light roasting preserves an alkaloid in coffee called trigonelline. It is reported to have certain health benefits.

ConsumerLab.com
June 27, 2025

Trigonelline, a compound found in coffee and certain other plants including fenugreek, has demonstrated some potential health benefits in preclinical studies, although these benefits do not yet appear to have been confirmed in humans: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/what-is-fenugreek/fenugreek-health-benefits-and-safety/#trigonelline

Ilene18469
January 20, 2024

Check Your Decaf says Dunkin Donuts uses methelene chloride to decaffeinate their coffee. But following the More Info link, Dunkin Donuts is listed in the Not Detected column.
Advice?

ConsumerLab.com
April 12, 2024

The information about Dunkin' Donuts included under the "More Info" link appears to be from test results published by the Clean Label Project in 2020. Testing of Dunkin' Donuts decaffeinated coffee in 2022 found that it did contain methylene chloride, as noted in our article. In its Decaf White Paper, the Clean Label Project proposes potential explanations for the discrepancy: https://cleanlabelproject.org/wp-content/uploads/CLP-Decaf-Coffee-White-Paper_3_2.pdf

Kerry14394
September 21, 2023

Would love to see findings on any chemicals in coffee made from Nespresso pods, Keurig, etc.

ConsumerLab.com
November 27, 2023

Please see the following section of our article about coffee and heart health: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#plasticizer

Andrew14391
September 09, 2023

Having problems finding out who makes and decaffinates Amazon Brand - Happy Belly Decaf Breakfast Blend. Rumors are it's made by Horton's since it shows from Canada but not sure. Any info? Thx.

Carol14388
September 01, 2023

How about Starbucks decaf?

ConsumerLab.com
September 08, 2023

We've added information about Starbucks' decaffeination process in the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#starbucks

Lance14385
August 30, 2023

Has San Francisco Bay Decaf French Toast been tested?

ConsumerLab.com
September 08, 2023
Larry14383
August 29, 2023

Would appreciate your educated guess on if methylene chloride residues would be LOWER in INSTANT decaf coffee crystals, since it has been brewed and evaporated?

ConsumerLab.com
September 19, 2023

We've added information about the amount of methylene chloride in decaffeinated instant coffee versus decaffeinated ground coffee in the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#instant-vs-ground

Audrey Valhuerdi14381
August 29, 2023

I contacted Seattle's Best about their Portside Blend Decaf and was told that a 6 0z cup had 3 mg of caffeine and that they used the water and CO2 method to decaffeinate their coffee. Have you tested this? thank you

ConsumerLab.com
September 08, 2023

We've added information about Seattle's Best to the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#seattles-best

Bernie14377
August 22, 2023

Has CL ever tested instant mushroom coffee? There are many on the market now and I have been drinking one now for a few months. Says it is organic.

ConsumerLab.com
August 23, 2023

Yes, you can find our tests of mushroom coffees in our Lion's Mane and Chaga Supplements Review https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/lions-mane-and-chaga/lions-mane-chaga/.

Sarah14373
August 17, 2023

The Clean Label link you provided states that Maxwell House uses the methylene chloride process. The text in your article states it uses the CO2 method. Can you please clarify? Thank you

ConsumerLab.com
August 22, 2023
Lorraine14371
August 15, 2023

Dunkin Donuts advertises that they use the swiss water method for decaffeinating their coffee, but the link you provide to https://checkyourdecaf.org/ says they use a Chemical solvent: methylene chloride. How do we know which is true.

ConsumerLab.com
August 29, 2023

Please see the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#dunkin

Pat14367
August 13, 2023

I contacted Gevalia about its decaf coffee. The response was that they use a CO2 process that does not involve any solvents.

ConsumerLab.com
August 15, 2023

Thanks for sharing. It does appear that Gevalia uses a carbon dioxide process to remove caffeine from many of its decaffeinated coffee products, although, as we note in our article, methylene chloride was detected in at least one Gevalia product: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#decaf-without-solvents

abcs18
August 13, 2023

Newman's Own Organic Special Decaf k-cups are water process.

ConsumerLab.com
August 15, 2023

Thanks for sharing. We've noted this in the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#decaf-without-solvents

xufeng14362
August 09, 2023

May I ask what is the maximum daily caffeine intake for an adult?

ConsumerLab.com
August 15, 2023
Karen14360
August 09, 2023

How does Nespresso decaffeinated coffee stack up as far as the use of chemicals.

George14354
August 02, 2023

Has CL ever checked the health effects of mold in store-bought ground coffee?

Stan14351
August 01, 2023

Since “some forms of decaffeinated coffee may contain potentially dangerous residual solvents used to remove the caffeine” would the same problem occur with decaffeinated green tea or decaffeinated black tea? Are these tested?

ConsumerLab.com
August 04, 2023

We've added information about the methods used to remove caffeine from tea in the following section of our Green Tea Review: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/green-tea-review-tea-bags-matcha-supplements/green-tea/#egcg-in-decaffeinated-tea

Linda14349
August 01, 2023

I reguarly consume Mount Hagens instant organic coffee. I have been working with them to find answers as to whether their coffee has mold contaminants and/or mytotoxins. They have gotten back to me about mold(which appears to be none) but I feel they wont be forthcoming about mytotoxins since it was said that an external source would have to verify that. Their coffee is expensive. I just want an instant(preferably) but not absolutely that is mold and mytotoxin free. Please, any recommendations???
I have no financial interest in any particular company.

Florence14346
August 01, 2023

How does caffeinated coffee affect bone density?

ConsumerLab.com
August 14, 2023
Angela14342
August 01, 2023

I am very much interested in how good the k cup filters are for removing cholesterol. I took apart some k cups and confirmed there is a paper filter inside. If there are any studies comparing them to standard brewed coffee filters, it would be most helpful.

Lisa14343
August 02, 2023

I place a ceramic cone with paper filter over my cup under Keurig dispenser to further filter out chemicals. Or just place ground coffee in paper filter and pour hot water over. My cholesterol levels improved after using these methods

ConsumerLab.com
August 05, 2023

We are not aware of any studies comparing K cup filters vs. standard coffee filters for removing cholesterol-raising compounds in coffee. However, as we explain in our article about coffee and heart health, coffee filtered through a paper filter, including that in disposable K cups, likely contains only small amounts of the cholesterol-raising compounds: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#unfiltered-coffee-cholesterol

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