Delta Cafés and the Champalimaud Foundation announce an agreement to fund breast cancer research

For millions of Portuguese people, a cup of coffee is a daily ritual. Can this deeply ingrained habit play a role in the prevention, treatment or survival of breast cancer? 

The agreement between the two organisations will enable the reinforcement of the Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) from the Breast Department to launch a pioneering line of research in Portugal. This line of research is entirely funded by Delta Cafés, which is thus playing an active role in advancing scientific knowledge.

Coffee is the most widely consumed beverage in the world after water. It contains hundreds of bioactive compounds, including caffeine, polyphenols and other antioxidants, and scientists are seeking to gain a deeper understanding of their impact on human health.

In the specific case of breast cancer, the available scientific evidence points to a positive link between coffee consumption and factors such as quality of life, fatigue, body composition and interaction with treatments. These new studies, conducted with scientific and methodological rigour, will contribute to a better understanding of these gaps.

In addition to the research about coffee, this funding will strengthen the BCRP’s overall mission: to make progress on multiple scientific fronts, from early diagnosis to the integration of innovative methods into clinical practice and treatments.

Leonor Beleza, President of the Champalimaud Foundation, highlights “the generosity of Delta Cafés and the Nabeiro family, which serves as an example of solidarity with the future. All of our efforts are few to seek new ways to combat this disease, which continues to cause death and suffering. Delta has made a commitment and sets an example for others to join in this vital challenge.”

"Coffee is part of people’s lives, it is present in both the simplest and the most memorable moments. It is only natural that we want to better understand its role in health and well-being. Innovation and a commitment to knowledge have always been part of our DNA, we believe that a company that does not invest in science and knowledge is not truly prepared for the future. This partnership with the Champalimaud Foundation is a concrete expression of these values, supporting scientific research of excellence in Portugal, conducted with the utmost rigour and independence, which can make a difference in the lives of many patients. It is not just about coffee. It is about using what we know, and what we still want to discover, to serve people. That is the spirit that drives us,” emphasised Rui Miguel Nabeiro, CEO of the Nabeiro-Delta Cafés Group.