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| Yes | 65% | 20 votes | Total: 31 votes | |
| No | 35% | 11 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesFor many years, scientists have claimed that coffee is bad for you, now, a study at Rutgers University in New Jersey has discovered that a double espresso a day combined with exercise, might just keep skin cancer away.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in both Britain and America, over the past twenty years the number of reported cases has doubled due to the increasing ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun caused by the continual degradation of the ozone layer.
The test results were published in the National Academy of Science and American Journal, and tell of how groups of hairless mice were exposed to the sun in differing conditions. One group were just exposed to the sun, another were fed caffeinated water, (equivalent to two cups of coffee), and then exposed to the sun, and a third group ran on a running wheel, while the fourth and final group were given the caffeinated water and made to run on a running wheel. Following the results, scientists were amazed to discover that coffee in moderation and regular exercise, reduces the risk of cancer dramatically.
Alison Ross for Cancer Research UK commented: "This study was carried out on mice so there will need to be more research to see if there is a similar effect on humans. Drinking a cup of coffee before going out jogging is definitely not a substitute for adequate sun protection and those who are fair-skinned should take extra care."
This is yet another case where science has condemned a beverage out of hand as bad, only to discover that in moderate doses, they might have jumped the gun too quickly. In 1994, a study was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, suggesting that a moderate consumption of wine protected against some cancers such as colon and rectum cancer. Previously, science had condemned wine consumption and told drinkers that it increased their chance of cancer in whatever quantity.
Now that coffee is back on the okay' list with wine, maybe one day science will discover that smoking cigars or cigarettes is good for you and actually prevents something.
Learn more about this author, Richard E. Grant.
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No
If anything science is not quick enough to note the negative effects of common products. Vioxx, aspirin, acetaminophen, tobacco, and tanning beds all come to mind when asked this question. Yes, they may have noted negative effects that are outweighed by positive benefits for some products, but at least they recognized the potential for harm.
Caffeine and alcohol have negative side effects in all people, but benefits in some, therefore the negatives were noted. Also, the benefits were not found until after other studies had been completed with less promising results. There is a lot of luck and genetic roulette involved in having espresso prevent cancer and wine prevent heart disease. Meanwhile, too much alcohol will damage your liver and too much caffeine will alter your hormonal balance and neural networks almost regardless of other contexts.
If aspirin was brought before the FDA today it would not be approved. The way in which it alleviates pain is nearly unknown and it has too many harsh side effects including eating away the stomach lining. Yet it is on the market because science did not jump to any conclusions about it and looked past any negative effects at the benefits. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage in conjunction with other products, specifically alcohol, yet it is on the market.
Long term studies of pharmaceuticals are not being done until after they are on the market. Vioxx lead to deaths, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) lead to cancer, estrogen treatment and birth control lead to blood clots and strokes as well as hormonal imbalances, and new vaccines are being put on the market for young girls without sterility testing. Science is not condemning harmful products fast enough!
Tobacco is a well known product with lots of money at stake in the decision to sell it despite the fact that it contains hundreds of chemicals, many of which have been shown to cause cancer in healthy individuals. Using the product results in the formation of even more cancer causing compounds and initiators that promote genetically predisposed cancers. It also contains an addictive compound, yet is still on the market while any other addictive substances are condemned. Tanning beds have a similar situation of being shown to cause cancer, exposure to UV rays leading to skin malformation. Yet there is not condemnation of them.
Science observes, experiments, and measures. They report what they find. If it is something negative about a product then they should by all means tell us! If they recommend not using it then they have reasons. There will always be something unknown, both good and bad, about it. It is the media and reporters who play the shock card and say "Stop using it! It will kill you!" But for some products, it's the consumer who needs to shout that instead.
Learn more about this author, Alicia M Prater PhD.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
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