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Our Members Asked:
Is it safe to drink coffee regularly? Does drinking coffee increase or decrease the risk of cancer?

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?
In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:
- Anderson, Int J Food Contam 2017
- Cassileth, Oncology 2010
- Chen, BMJ Open 2021
- Cheng, Can J Cardiol 2014
- Du, Nutr Metab Cardiovas 2020
- EPA is trying to ban
- Eisele, JAMA 1980
- FDA
- FDA, 21CFR173.255
- Gapstur, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017
- Health Canada
- Heikes, J AOAC Int 1987
- IARC, Press Release 2016
- Mackintosh, JAMA Oncology, 2020
- Pietsch, The Craft and Science of Coffee Chapter 10
- Rhee, Am J Clin Nutr 2016
- Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
- Varady Foods 2021
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Related Reviews (5)
Latest Research Updates (Clinical Updates)
Solvent in Instant Decaf?
September 12, 2023
Does decaf instant coffee contain less solvent than decaf ground coffee? Find out in our updated article about coffee and cancer.
Starbucks Decaf
September 08, 2023
Does Starbucks decaffeinate its coffee with chemical solvents? Find out in our article about coffee and cancer risk.
Decaf Coffee Brands
September 01, 2023
Do decaffeinated coffees from Seattle's Best or San Fransisco Bay use the solvent methylene chloride? We’ve added information about these to our article about coffee and cancer risk that covers more than 20 coffee brands.
Dunkin’, Nespresso & Decaf
August 29, 2023
Does Dunkin’ Donuts or Nespresso decaffeinate its coffee with chemical solvents? Find out in our article about coffee and cancer risk.
Maxwell House Decaf
August 22, 2023
Does Maxwell House decaffeinated coffee contain chemical solvent? Find out what the company told ConsumerLab in our updated article about coffee and cancer.
Decaf Coffee
August 15, 2023
Learn which decaf coffees do not use solvents in their production.
Decaf Coffee & Chemical Solvents
August 08, 2023
Find out which brands of coffee do not use chemical solvents to decaffeinate their coffee in the “Does coffee contain toxic heavy metals or solvents?" section of our article about coffee & cancer.
Chemical in Coffee
August 01, 2023
Some forms of decaffeinated coffee may contain potentially dangerous residual solvents used to remove the caffeine. See how selected brands compare and how you can avoid solvents in coffee, in our updated article about coffee and cancer.
Related CL Answers (9)
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The "Updated" date indicates when new information was most recently added to this article. In the full article, the newest information is highlighted in yellow.
Jayne19973
July 10, 2024Maybe 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, 2025To address the roasting question, my understanding is light roasting preserves an alkaloid in coffee called trigonelline. It is reported to have certain health benefits.
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
Reply to this post…
Ilene18469
January 20, 2024Check 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?
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
Reply to this post…
Kerry14394
September 21, 2023Would love to see findings on any chemicals in coffee made from Nespresso pods, Keurig, etc.
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
Reply to this post…
Andrew14391
September 09, 2023Having 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.
Reply to this post…
Carol14388
September 01, 2023How about Starbucks decaf?
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
Reply to this post…
Lance14385
August 30, 2023Has San Francisco Bay Decaf French Toast been tested?
Please see the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#san-francisco-bay
Reply to this post…
Larry14383
August 29, 2023Would appreciate your educated guess on if methylene chloride residues would be LOWER in INSTANT decaf coffee crystals, since it has been brewed and evaporated?
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
Reply to this post…
Audrey Valhuerdi14381
August 29, 2023I 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
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
Reply to this post…
Bernie14377
August 22, 2023Has 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.
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/.
Reply to this post…
Sarah14373
August 17, 2023The 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
Please see the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#maxwell-house-decaf
Reply to this post…
Lorraine14371
August 15, 2023Dunkin 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.
Please see the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#dunkin
Reply to this post…
Pat14367
August 13, 2023I contacted Gevalia about its decaf coffee. The response was that they use a CO2 process that does not involve any solvents.
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
Reply to this post…
abcs18
August 13, 2023Newman's Own Organic Special Decaf k-cups are water process.
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
Reply to this post…
xufeng14362
August 09, 2023May I ask what is the maximum daily caffeine intake for an adult?
Please see the following section of our article above: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#is-it-safe-to-drink-coffee-regularly
Reply to this post…
Karen14360
August 09, 2023How does Nespresso decaffeinated coffee stack up as far as the use of chemicals.
Please see: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/coffee-and-cancer/coffee-cancer/#nespresso
Reply to this post…
George14354
August 02, 2023Has CL ever checked the health effects of mold in store-bought ground coffee?
Please see https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-it-true-that-most-coffee-is-contaminated-with-mold/mold-in-coffee/
Reply to this post…
Stan14351
August 01, 2023Since “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?
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
Reply to this post…
Linda14349
August 01, 2023I 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.
Please see https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-it-true-that-most-coffee-is-contaminated-with-mold/mold-in-coffee/
Reply to this post…
Florence14346
August 01, 2023How does caffeinated coffee affect bone density?
Please see our article about caffeine and bone density: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/can-drinking-coffee-weaken-bones-or-worsen-arthritis/coffee-bone-health-arthritis/
Reply to this post…
Angela14342
August 01, 2023I 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, 2023I 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
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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