Coffee can help reduce the risk of MRSA

Joe Elvin

12/07/2011 09:51:52

Drinking coffee can help reduce the risk of MRSA, according to new research.

A study published today in the Annals of Family Medicine found that people who consumed tea or enjoyed a trip to the cappuccino machine carried MRSA in their nose half as often as those who didn’t.

Study author Eric Matheson claimed the results may have been as they were because coffee and tea activate the immune system and decreases the amount of iron in the body. It is well known that MRSA needs iron to grow.

His opinions were backed up by the fact that iced tea and soda had no effect on the likelihood of carrying MRSA.

Speaking to webmd.com, Matheson attempted to explain why only hot drinks appear to have any effect on the superbug.

He said: “Some of these compounds may be destroyed when they are iced, as they are more soluble at higher temperatures.

“If you don’t drink coffee or tea and work in a health care setting, you may want to start and this may decrease your risk of carrying MRSA in the nose.”   

MRSA can live and be spread through people’s noses without infecting them. Bloomberg report that researchers are now keen to study coffee’s effect on those who are infected with the disease.