The buzz on caffeine (It’s good for you)

It may come as no surprise to coffee-fueled Seattleites, but the latest research from the University of Washington here has caffeine addicts buzzing. Turns out that caffeine is not only a health food, but perhaps the next exciting skin care ingredient, according to UW skin cancer expert Dr. Paul Ngheim. I have been following the caffeine story for a while, even including some interesting data about caffeine’s healthful properties in the first edition of Age Gets Better with Wine.

This latest research is based upon findings from the UW and Dr. Allan Conney at Rutgers University, which found that caffeine protected mice from the effects of ultraviolet radiation, a known trigger for skin cancer. But as with many such findings, it wasn’t where they expected the research path would lead. They started with an evaluation of tea extracts, assuming that the polyphenols-antioxidant molecules similar to those found in red wine-were the active ingredients. Tea is known to have great antioxidant properties, and polyphenols have been shown in a number of studies to confer protection against UV radiation. But when the decaffeinated version failed to work as well as the full octane type, attention focused on the caffeine, which when tested independently turned out to be the key. Coffee, by the way also has good levels of antioxidants, and both coffee and tea drinkers enjoy lower rates of cancer overall.

But the news gets even better for latte lovers. Another large study out this month from Harvard found that caffeine consumption-whether from coffee or tea-was associated with a lower risk of stroke, particularly for women. There are actually several studies with similar results published in recent years. And does anyone remember the cellulite creams that were so popular a decade ago? They did work (although they had to be applied 5 times a day) and the active ingredients were caffeine and similar compounds. Caffeine seems to shrink fat cells too.

So if you will excuse me, I am going to make a run to Starbucks. Can I get you anything?