Does Caffeine Prevent Skin Cancer?

If you can't live without your morning coffee or afternoon soda you might not have to feel guilty about it anymore.  The results of a recent study show a strong link between caffeine consumption, exercise and skin cancer.  According to the National Cancer Institute, sunlight-induced skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the United States with more than 1 million new cases each year.  A research team at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, showed that a combination of exercise and some caffeine protected against the destructive effects of the sun's ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation; known to induce skin cancer.  The pair of caffeine and exercise seems to kill off precancerous cells who's DNA has been damaged by UVB-rays.  

Many people believe caffeine, especially in large doses of sugary sodas, is bad for your health.  However, drinking a minimum amount of caffeine may just improve your health and prevent skin cancer.  Skin cancer is often detrimental and, sadly, about 86% of melanomas are attributed to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.  If there was another method of preventing damage from the sun, besides sun screen, perhaps we could prevent the approximate 9,000 deaths that occur each year from skin cancer.

The study involved conducting intensive tests on hairless mice.  Shaving the mice made their skin vulnerable to the sun; just like humans.  Hairless mice were sectioned off into four groups.  The first group drank caffeinated water (the human equivalent of one or two cups of coffee a day).  The second group voluntarily exercised on a running wheel that was provided for them.  The third group both drank the caffeinated water and ran on the wheel.  The fourth group was the control group and did not run or drink caffeinated water.  All of the mice were exposed to lamps that generated UVB radiation that damaged the DNA in their skin cells.


To determine the extent of cell death amount of the four groups of UVB-treated mice, the team looked at physical changes in the cells.  The results of the study were shocking.  Compared to the control group, the caffeine drinkers showed a 95% increase in UVB-induced apoptosis; which aborts the progress of cancer.  The exercising mice showed a 120% increase, while the mice that were both drinking and exercising showed a nearly 400% increase.

Although the study did prove that minimal amounts of caffeine and regular exercise will reduce the risk of skin cancer, abandoning your awning and standing in the sun all day would be a mistake.  Keeping your body hydrated, applying sun screen regularly and staying under an awning can keep your body away from the intense Utah heat and sun.  Sun damage, which leads to skin cancer, can be prevented by putting up an awning in your yard.  If you are concerned about the effects of the sun and want to learn more about purchasing an awning for skin protection, visit Sugarhouse Awning's in Utah today or go online.  Do some research to learn more about the best ways to shade yourself in Utah and keep your body free of skin cancer.