Caffeine as a "sunscreen"? New findings in skin cancer fight
Caffeine, found in coffee and tea, offers many benefits: it enhances concentration, improves mood, speeds up metabolism, and helps combat migraines. Researchers have also found that it can protect the skin from UV radiation, reducing the risk of melanoma.
5:01 PM EST, November 5, 2024
The symptoms of skin cancer are varied and often noticeable. They include unusual redness and halos around moles, ulceration, itching, and other skin changes.
Does caffeine counteract skin cancer? Surprising research findings
It turns out that the direct application of caffeine on the skin influences the ATR enzyme, helping protect against skin cancer. In New Jersey, studies were conducted on genetically modified mice to reduce the amount of the ATR gene. The findings may be surprising. When the mice were exposed to UV radiation, those with less active ATR developed fewer tumors.
Caffeine stimulates the death of DNA-damaged cells by inhibiting the ATR pathway and increasing the level of p53 (these are biological effects). Reducing ATR activity inhibits UVB-induced carcinogenesis. Caffeine acts like a "sunscreen" because we observed that it absorbs UVB. Dr. Allan Conney said all these actions help counteract cancer cell development. He also noted that further research is being planned to more accurately determine caffeine's impact on skin health.
Experts recommend using creams with an SPF of 15 or higher and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours. Tanning beds are also advised, as they increase the risk of skin cancer. Exposure to artificial rays is particularly harmful to the skin.
