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For 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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