This study was performed to investigate the association between coffee consumption and risk of colorectal cancer in a Korean population and examine whether the association can be altered by adjustment for intake of coffee additives. We conducted a case-control study involving 923 colorectal cancer cases and 1846 controls matched by sex and age (within 5 years). A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess coffee intakes. High coffee consumption was associated with lower odds of developing colorectal cancer (≥3 cups/day vs. no drinks, OR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49–0.96). When we additionally controlled for consumption of coffee additives including sugar and cream, the inverse association became stronger (≥3 cups/day vs. no drinks, OR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.14–0.33), and a significant inverse linear trend was shown (Ptrend < 0.0001). The inverse associations were observed for proximal (Ptrend = 0.0001) and distal (Ptrend = 0.0003) colon cancer, and rectal cancer (Ptrend < 0.0001) in the stratified analysis by anatomical sub-sites. Regarding sex, inverse associations between coffee consumption and colorectal cancer were found for men (Ptrend < 0.0001) and women (Ptrend = 0.0021). In the stratified analysis by obese status of subjects, inverse linear trends were observed in both non-obese and obese people (Ptrend < 0.0001). High coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer in the Korean population and the degree of decrease in the odds of developing colorectal cancer changes by adjustment for intake of coffee additives.
Comment on Kim et al. The Association between Coffee Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in a Korean Population. Nutrients 2021, 13, 2753
