Scandinavian-Style Brewed Coffee Linked to Lower Breast Cancer Risk

If you're a woman wondering whether your daily coffee habit affects your breast cancer risk, recent research from Sweden offers a specific answer—especially if you prefer your coffee boiled rather than instant.

Women in northern Sweden who drank boiled or steeped coffee more than four times a day had a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who drank it less than once a day. Meanwhile, regular consumption of instant coffee was linked to a higher risk of breast cancer before age 49.

What the Swedish Study Found

Researchers at Umeå University in northern Sweden surveyed around 65,000 women and analyzed their coffee drinking habits. Their findings, published in the journal Cancer Causes & Control, showed that those who consumed traditional Scandinavian-style boiled or steeped coffee more than four times daily had a reduced risk of breast cancer compared to those drinking it infrequently. In contrast, frequent drinkers of instant coffee showed a higher likelihood of developing breast cancer before the age of 49.

Why Boiled Coffee May Be Healthier

The key difference, researchers suggest, lies in the fatty acid content. Scandinavian-style boiled or steeped coffee—similar to coffee made with a French press, Turkish cezve, or Greek briki—contains up to 80 times more fatty acids than instant coffee. Animal studies have demonstrated that these fatty acids can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, hinting at a possible protective mechanism.

The Unexpected Risk for Men

Interestingly, the same study found that while boiled coffee may benefit women’s breast cancer risk profiles, it poses potential risks for men. Regular intake of this brewing style was associated with an increased likelihood of developing pancreatic and lung cancers in men. The reasons for this gender disparity remain unclear and warrant further investigation.

How Much Coffee Do Swedish People Drink?

For context, the average Swede consumes about 8.2 kilograms of coffee per year, reflecting the country’s strong coffee culture. This high consumption underscores the relevance of understanding how different brewing methods may impact health outcomes across populations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scandinavian-style or boiled coffee?

Scandinavian-style or boiled coffee refers to coffee brewed by boiling finely ground coffee in water, similar to methods used in French presses, cezves (Turkish coffee), or briks (Greek coffee). It produces a full-bodied cup and is distinct from filtered or instant coffee.

How much boiled coffee reduces breast cancer risk?

Women who drank boiled or steeped coffee more than four times a day had a lower risk of breast cancer compared to those who drank it less than once a day, according to the Umeå University study of 65,000 Swedish women.

Does instant coffee increase breast cancer risk?

Yes, the study found that women who frequently drank instant coffee had a higher risk of developing breast cancer before the age of 49 compared to those who primarily drank boiled coffee.

Why does boiled coffee have more fatty acids?

Boiled or steeped coffee retains more natural fatty acids during the brewing process compared to instant coffee, which undergoes heavy processing. These fatty acids may help inhibit cancer cell growth, based on animal studies cited in the research.

Is boiled coffee bad for men’s health?

The same study found that men who regularly drank boiled or steeped coffee had a higher risk of pancreatic and lung cancers, suggesting brewing method may affect health risks differently by gender.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Scandinavian Brewing

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend or Ethiopia Huakui for Scandinavian-style brewing. The Classic Blend offers a balanced, medium-bodied cup with chocolatey and nutty notes, ideal for French press or cezve. Ethiopia Huakui, a washed single origin, brings bright citrus and floral tones that shine in slower, full-immersion methods. Both showcase the nuanced fatty acid profiles linked to health benefits in the Swedish study. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.