*** Has anti-skin cancer effect

U.S. researchers reported recently that their studies on mice have found that caffeine can eliminate cells that are damaged by ultraviolet radiation and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Previous studies have shown that caffeine can inhibit the protease named ATR. In the new study, researchers at Rutgers University bred genetically engineered mice that have been inhibited by ATR protease. After exposure to UV light, genetically engineered mice developed skin tumours for 3 weeks later than normal mice; after 19 weeks in the UV environment, 69% of genetically engineered mice developed tumours in comparison to normal mice and developed invasive tumours. The genetically modified mice are also only a quarter of the latter.

The research results have been published in the new issue of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers said that caffeine has the effect of preventing UV damage, which may be due to caffeine inhibiting ATR protease, which further promotes the apoptosis of DNA damaged by ultraviolet irradiation and reduces the risk of damaged cells transforming into tumor cells.

The researchers said that moderate intake of caffeine may prevent skin cancer. In addition, because caffeine can absorb UV light directly, it can also be used as a sunscreen.