Drinking 6+ Cups of Coffee Lowers Prostate Cancer Risk

If you’ve ever wondered whether your daily coffee habit is doing more than just waking you up, a major new study offers a compelling reason to keep brewing: drinking multiple cups of coffee a day may significantly lower your risk of developing prostate cancer.

Men who drank six or more cups of coffee per day had nearly 20% lower risk of developing prostate cancer over two decades compared to non-coffee drinkers, according to a long-term Harvard study. The risk of fatal prostate cancer dropped even more sharply.

Key Findings from the Harvard Study

Scientists at Harvard University tracked 47,911 men over 20 years, regularly collecting data on their coffee consumption habits. The results were published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute — the first study to specifically link higher coffee intake with reduced prostate cancer risk.

The findings showed that men who consumed six or more cups of coffee daily had:

• a 19.7% lower risk of developing any form of prostate cancer, and
• a 60% lower risk of developing fatal prostate cancer

Even more surprisingly, men who drank just 1 to 3 cups per day still saw a 30% reduction in the risk of lethal prostate cancer.

Caffeinated or Decaf? Doesn’t Matter

The type of coffee made no difference in the results. Whether the coffee was caffeinated or decaffeinated, the protective effect remained consistent. This suggests that compounds other than caffeine — such as antioxidants and polyphenols — may be contributing to the reduced cancer risk.

How Coffee May Protect Against Prostate Cancer

Coffee is one of the richest dietary sources of antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation — both of which are linked to cancer development. Previous studies have also shown that regular coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, further underscoring coffee’s broader health benefits.

While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, researchers believe that the bioactive compounds in coffee may influence hormone levels, cell signaling, and apoptosis (programmed cell death), all of which play roles in cancer prevention.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cups of coffee per day were linked to lower prostate cancer risk?

Drinking six or more cups of coffee daily was associated with a 19.7% lower risk of developing prostate cancer and a 60% lower risk of fatal prostate cancer over 20 years, based on a Harvard study of 47,911 men.

Does decaf coffee offer the same protection against prostate cancer?

Yes. The study found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee were equally effective at reducing prostate cancer risk, suggesting that non-caffeine compounds like antioxidants are responsible for the benefit.

What types of prostate cancer risk were lowered?

The study showed reduced risk for both overall prostate cancer and, more significantly, for fatal prostate cancer. Men drinking 1–3 cups daily still had a 30% lower risk of lethal prostate cancer.

How long did the Harvard coffee and prostate cancer study last?

The research followed 47,911 men for 20 years, during which their coffee intake was regularly reported and outcomes tracked, making it one of the most comprehensive studies on the topic.

Should men start drinking more coffee to prevent prostate cancer?

Researchers caution against changing coffee habits solely for cancer prevention. However, the findings add to evidence that moderate to high coffee consumption is not harmful and may offer health benefits.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Lovers

Pair your daily coffee routine with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, or Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and stone fruit brightness. Both single origins highlight coffee’s complex antioxidants and vibrant profiles. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.