Can Drinking Water Reduce the Risk of Bladder Cancer?

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health state that drinking more fluids, particularly water, may cut the risk of bladder cancer.

Of the 48,000 men tracked in the Health Professionals’ Follow-up study, men who drank six or more cups of water a day had half the risk of bladder cancer when compared to men who drank less than one cup per day.

Researchers state the reason for such a reduction in risk is that potential carcinogens are more diluted and have less contact with the bladder. In addition, drinking more increases the frequency of urination so it eliminates potential carcinogens at a faster rate.

There recommendation is to drink 10 eight ounce glasses of water per day.

Source: New Eng. J. Med. 340: 1390, 1424, 1999.