The latest news: it seems that coffee and exercise together can help fight cancer. In fact, the combination is over three times more effective than exercise alone (see article sources below). How can this be?
Researchers don’t know why this works, but as is so often the case, an explanation can be found in the ancient field of Chinese medicine. It sees cancer as being caused by an extreme accumulation of dampness, or mucus, in the body. There are many ways to get rid of dampness, but the most effective is exercise. The dampness comes out as perspiration and the activity makes our body work more efficiently.
But not all cancer patients have the energy to exercise. Excessive dampness robs the body of energy and physical strength, which makes it very difficult for some patients to even want to exercise. This is where coffee comes in. All bitter foods and drinks increase heart energy, which is responsible, among other things, for physical activity. So the coffee effectively gives cancer patients the energy to exercise.
It’s important not to overdo it, though. While a bit of coffee boosts heart energy, too much of it will, in fact, increase dampness. In general, one to two cups of black coffee a day is enough. It can be regular or decaffeinated, or it can be replaced by other bitter foods, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, dandelion, slightly charred toast or barbecued foods.
Article sources:
- Exercise, Caffeine Fight Skin Cancer (AP)
- Caffeine and exercise may help prevent skin cancer (CBC)
- Exercise and caffeine might fight skin cancer (CTV)
- Eek! Another benefit of caffeine (LA Times)
- A run to the coffee shop may prevent skin cancer (News-Medical.Net)
- Caffeine, exercise may help ward off skin cancer (Reuters)
- Study: Combo of exercise, caffeine can fight skin cancers (USA Today)